Method and apparatus for receiving, sending and data processing information related to time such as leap second and daylight saving time (dst)

ABSTRACT

A receiving apparatus is provided. The receiving apparatus includes circuitry configured to receive reference time information and metadata including information for executing processing related to the reference time information. The circuitry is configured to execute processing related to the reference time information based on the metadata. The metadata includes a first offset value between the reference time information and a discontinuous time, a second offset value between the discontinuous time and a local time, and a date and time at which a change in a daylight savings time (DST) status is to occur. The local time is determined based on the reference time information and the metadata.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/765,646, filed onApr. 3, 2018, which is incorporated by reference. U.S. Ser. No.15/765,646 is a National Stage of PCT/JP2016/078984, filed on Sep. 30,2016, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 ofJapanese Application No. 2015-204124, filed Oct. 15, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a receiving apparatus, a sendingapparatus, and a data processing method and, more particularly, to areceiving apparatus, a sending apparatus, and a data processingapparatus that are configured to be capable of executing the processingrelated with the time information corresponding to various kinds ofoperations.

BACKGROUND ART

In the field of broadcasting, time information is transmitted so as toprovide synchronization between the sending side and the receiving side.In using such time information, measures are required because, if adiscontinuous time occurs due to leap second or the summer time (DST:Daylight Saving Time), for example, normal processing may not beensured.

For example, in ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) employed inthe United State of America and other countries, a descriptor fordescribing the summer time (DST) (Daylight Saving Time Descriptor) isspecified (refer to NPL 1 below, for example).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[NPL 1]

ATSC Standard: Program and System Information Protocol for TerrestrialBroadcast and Cable (Doc. A65/2013)

SUMMARY Technical Problems

Since some operations use different kinds of time information, even inthe case where two or more kinds of time information are used,propositions for enabling the handling of the times that arediscontinuous due to the leap second or the summer time (DST), forexample have been demanded.

Therefore, the present technology addresses the above-identified problemand is intended to solve the addressed problem by providing measures forprocessing related with the time information corresponding to variouskinds of operations.

Solutions to Problems

In carrying out the present technology and according to a first aspectthereof, there is provided a receiving apparatus. This receivingapparatus has a receiving block configured to receive metadata includinginformation for executing processing related with time information inaccordance with a mode corresponding to two or more pieces ofinformation and a processing block configured to execute processingrelated with the time information on the basis of the metadata.

The receiving apparatus according to the first aspect of the presenttechnology may be a discrete unit of an apparatus or an internal blockof one unit of an apparatus. The data processing method according to thefirst aspect of the present technology is a data processing methodcorresponding to the above-mentioned receiving apparatus of the firstaspect of the present technology.

In the receiving apparatus and the data processing method according tothe first aspect of the present technology, the metadata that includesthe information for executing the processing related with the timeinformation in accordance with a mode corresponding to two or morepieces of time information is received and the processing related withthe above-mentioned time information is executed on the basis of theabove-mentioned metadata.

In carrying out the present technology and according to a second aspectthereof, there is provided a sending apparatus. This sending apparatushas a generation block configured to generate metadata includinginformation for executing processing related with time information inaccordance with a mode corresponding to two or more pieces of timeinformation; and a sending block configured to send the metadata.

The sending apparatus according to second first aspect of the presenttechnology may be a discrete unit of an apparatus or an internal blockof one unit of an apparatus. The data processing method according to thesecond aspect of the present technology is a data processing methodcorresponding to the above-mentioned sending apparatus of the secondaspect of the present technology.

In the sending apparatus and the data processing method in the secondaspect of the present technology, the metadata that includes theinformation for executing the processing related with the timeinformation in accordance with a mode corresponding to tow or morepieces of information is generated and the generated metadata is sent.

In carrying out the present technology and according to a third aspectthereof, there is provided a receiving apparatus. This receivingapparatus has a receiving block configured to receive metadata includinginformation for executing processing related with time information inaccordance with a mode corresponding to two or more pieces of timeinformation, the metadata including a flag indicative of one ofinsertion and deletion of the leap second; a counter configured to counta value in accordance with the flag; and a processing block configuredto correct the leap second of the time information in accordance with avalue of the counter.

The receiving apparatus according to the third aspect of the presenttechnology may be a discrete unit of an apparatus or an internal blockof one unit of an apparatus. The data processing method according to thethird aspect of the present technology is a data processing methodcorresponding to the above-mentioned receiving apparatus of the thirdaspect of the present technology.

In the receiving apparatus and the data processing method according tothe third aspect of the present technology, metadata includinginformation for executing processing related with time information inaccordance with a mode corresponding to two or more pieces of timeinformation is received, the metadata including a flag indicative of oneof insertion and deletion of the leap second; a value in accordance withthe flag is counted; and the leap second of the time information inaccordance with a value of the counter is corrected.

Advantageous Effect of Invention

According to the first aspect through the third aspect of the presenttechnology, the processing related with the time information inaccordance with a variety of operations can be executed.

It should be noted that the effects described here are not necessarilyrestricted; namely, any of the effects described in the presentdisclosure may be effects denoted here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of atransmission system to which the present technology is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of asending apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of areceiving apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating daylight saving descriptor.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a basic method of using daylight savingdescriptor throughout the year.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the processingcorresponding to time information modes.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relation between UTC and referencetime.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a relation between PTP and referencetime.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relation between local time andreference time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the conversion of time information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of UTC parameters.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing by thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to UTC mode A.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing by thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to UTC mode B.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing by thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to PTP mode A.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing by thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to PTP mode B.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing by thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to local time mode A.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing by thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to local time mode B.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing by thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to local time mode C.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment of timeby the leap second correction using time information metadata.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment of timeby the leap second correction using an internal counter.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment of timeby DST correction using time information metadata.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a relation between internal time andmedia time line with the leap second inserted.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a relation between internal time andmedia time line at the start of the summer time (DST).

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a syntax of timeinformation metadata.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a transmission schemeof time information metadata.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a structure of each layer.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a descriptor transmission scheme.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an ALP additional header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an ALP additional header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an L2 signaling header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an L2 signaling header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an L2 signaling transmission scheme.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a BBP additional header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a BBP additional header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a BBP additional header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a BBP additional header transmissionscheme.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an L1 signaling transmission scheme.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart indicative of a flow of the data processing onthe seconding side.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart indicative of a flow of the processing on thereceiving side.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of acomputer.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments of the present technology withreference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that thedescription is done in the following sequence.

1. System configuration

2. Time information processing in accordance with a time informationmode

(A) Contents of the processing in the time information mode

(B) Correspondence between the leap second and the summer time (DST)

(C) Example of syntax

3. Transmission scheme of time information metadata

4. Flows of processing to be executed in each apparatus

5. Variations

6. Computer configuration

<1. System Configuration>

(Exemplary Configuration of a Transmission System)

FIG. 1 depicts a diagram illustrating a configuration of one embodimentof a transmission system to which the present technology is applied. Itshould be noted that term “system” denotes a logical aggregation of twoor more apparatuses.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a transmission system 1 is configured by asending apparatus 10 and a receiving apparatus 20. In this transmissionsystem 1, data transmission compliant with a digital broadcastingstandard such as ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) 3.0, forexample, one of the next-generation terrestrial broadcast standards.

The sending apparatus 10 is a sending machine compliant with a digitalbroadcasting standard such as ATSC 3.0 and sends a broadcast streamincluding content such as a broadcast program via a transmission path30. It should be noted that a detail configuration of the sendingapparatus 10 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

The receiving apparatus 20 is a receiving machine compliant with adigital broadcasting standard such as ATSC 3.0 and receives a broadcaststream sent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30,thereby reproducing the content such as a broadcast program. It shouldbe noted that a detail configuration of the receiving apparatus 20 willbe described later with reference to FIG. 3.

In the transmission system 1 depicted in FIG. 1, only one unit of thereceiving apparatus 20 is illustrated for the brevity of description;however, it is also practicable to arrange two or more receivingapparatuses 20 in which a digital broadcast signal sent from the sendingapparatus 10 is simultaneously received by the two or more receivingapparatuses 20 via the transmission path 30.

It is also practicable to arrange two or more sending apparatuses 10.Each of the two or more sending apparatuses 10 can send a broadcaststream on a separate channel, a separate frequency band, for example, inwhich the receiving apparatus 20 can select a channel by which toreceive the broadcast stream from among the channels of the two or moresending apparatuses 10.

Further, in the transmission system 1 depicted in FIG. 1, thetransmission path 30 may be a satellite broadcast using a broadcastingsatellite (BS: Broadcasting Satellite) or a communication satellite (CS:Communication Satellite) or a wired broadcasting (CATV) using cables,for example, in addition to terrestrial wave (terrestrial broadcasting).

(Exemplary Configuration of the Sending Apparatus)

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary configuration of the sending apparatus 10depicted in FIG. 1.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the sending apparatus 10 is configured by acomponent processing block 111, an ESG processing block 112, aprocessing block 113, a packet processing block 114, a modulationprocessing block 115, and a sending block 116.

The component processing block 111 obtains content entered therein. Thecontent here includes live content (a live broadcast program such assports, for example) sent from a site of coverage via a transmissionpath or a communication line or recorded content (a program recorded inadvance such as dramas, for example) accumulated in a storage.

The component processing block 111 processes (encodes, for example) thedata of a video or audio component making up content and suppliesresultant data to the packet processing block 114.

The ESG processing block 112 obtains the data of ESG (Electronic ServiceGuide) that is an electronic service guide (an electronic programtable). The ESG processing block 112 processes the ESG data and suppliesthe resultant data to the packet processing block 114.

The processing block 113 executes processing related with information,such as signaling and time information. The processing block 113includes a signaling processing block 121 and a time informationprocessing block 122.

The signaling processing block 121 processes (generates) signaling andsupplies the processed signaling to the packet processing block 114 orthe modulation processing block 115.

For example, ATSC 3.0 assumes to specify LLS (Link Layer Signaling) andSLS (Service Layer Signaling) for signaling in which the SLS signalingfor each service is obtained in accordance with the informationdescribed in the LLS signal obtained before. In addition, the signalingincludes the signaling (L1 signaling) in the physical layer.

The time information processing block 122 processes (generates) timeinformation and supplies the processed time information to the signalingprocessing block 121. It should be noted that, for the time information,UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), PTP (Precision Time Protocol), orlocal time (LT), for example, is used, details thereof being describedlater.

Further, the time information processing block 122 generates metadata(hereafter referred to as time information metadata) includinginformation for executing the processing corresponding to a timeinformation mode in accordance with two or more pieces of timeinformation and supplies the generated metadata to the signalingprocessing block 121.

The signaling processing block 121 processes, as signaling, the timeinformation or time information metadata supplied from the timeinformation processing block 122 and supplies the processed informationor metadata to the packet processing block 114 or the modulationprocessing block 115.

The packet processing block 114 is supplied with video and audiocomponent data from the component processing block 111, ESG data fromthe ESG processing block 112, and signaling data from the processingblock 113 (the signaling processing block 121 thereof). The packetprocessing block 114 executes packet generation processing by use of thesupplied component, ESG, and signaling data.

Here, IP (Internet Protocol) packets including a UDP (User DatagramProtocol) packet is generated and one or more IP packets areencapsulated into an ALP (ATSC Link-layer Protocol) packet, for example.The packets processed by the packet processing block 114 are supplied tothe modulation processing block 115. For example, the signaling suppliedfrom the signaling processing block 121 that includes time informationor time information metadata can be stored an additional header or apayload of a particular packet.

The modulation processing block 115 processes the packets supplied fromthe packet processing block 114 so as to generate and process a physicallayer frame. Here, the physical layer frame is configured by a bootstrap(BS: Bootstrap), a preamble (Preamble), and a data part. For example,the signaling including time information or time information metadatacan be included in the bootstrap or the preamble of the physical layerframe.

It should be noted that the modulation processing block 115 alsoexecutes error correction encoding processing (BCH encoding or LDPC (LowDensity Parity Check) encoding, for example) and modulation processing(OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), for example). Thesignal processing by the modulation processing block 115 is supplied tothe sending block 116.

The sending block 116 converts the signal supplied from the modulationprocessing block 115 into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal and sends theRF signal as a digital broadcast signal via an antenna 131.

The sending apparatus 10 is configured as described above. It should benoted that, in FIG. 2, the sending apparatus 10 on the sending side (thebroadcasting station) is configured by only one unit for the convenienceof description; however, the sending apparatus 10 may be configured bytwo or more units having the functions of the blocks depicted in FIG. 2.

(Exemplary Configuration of the Receiving Apparatus)

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary configuration of the receiving apparatus 20depicted in FIG. 1.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the receiving apparatus 20 is configured by areceiving block 211, a demodulation processing block 212, a processingblock 213, a packet processing block 214, a component processing block215, an ESG processing block 216, and an output block 217.

The receiving block 211 receives a digital broadcast signal via theantenna 231 and frequency-converts the RF signal into an IF(Intermediate Frequency) signal, thereby supplying the IF signal to thedemodulation processing block 212.

The demodulation processing block 212 processes a signal supplied fromthe receiving block 211 so as to process the physical layer frame,thereby extracting packets. Here, the physical layer frame is configuredby a bootstrap, a preamble, and a data part. For example, if signalingincluding time information or time information metadata is included inthe bootstrap or the preamble of the physical layer frame, thissignaling is supplied to the processing block 213 (the signalingprocessing block 221 thereof).

It should be noted the demodulation processing block 212 also executesdemodulation processing (OFDM demodulation or the like, for example) anderror correction decoding processing (LDPC decoding or BCH decoding, forexample). The signal processed by the demodulation processing block 212is supplied to the packet processing block 214.

The packet processing block 214 processes the packets supplied from thedemodulation processing block 212. Here, the processing for an ALPpacket is executed and the processing for an IP packet extracted fromthis ALP packet is further executed, for example. Consequently, IPpackets including video and audio component, ESG, and signaling data areobtained, for example. Then, the component data is supplied to thecomponent processing block 215, the ESG data is supplied to the ESGprocessing block 216, and the signaling data is supplied to theprocessing block 213 (the signaling processing block 221 thereof).

The processing block 213 executes the processing related withinformation such as signal and time information. The processing block213 includes the signaling processing block 221 and a time informationprocessing block 222.

The signaling processing block 221 is supplied with signaling from thedemodulation processing block 212 or the packet processing block 214.The signaling from the demodulation processing block 212 includes L1signaling and the signaling that includes time information or timeinformation metadata, for example. The signaling from the packetprocessing block 214 includes LLS signaling and SLS signaling and thesignaling that includes time information or time information metadata.

The signaling processing block 221 processes signaling so as to controlthe operation of each block in accordance with the results of thisprocessing. In addition, signaling processing block 221 processing thesignaling including time information or time information metadata andsupplies the processed signaling to the time information processingblock 222.

The time information processing block 222 executes the processingrelated with time information on the basis of the time information orthe time information metadata supplied from the signaling processingblock 221. In addition, the time information processing block 222controls the component processing block 215 or the ESG processing block216 in accordance with the results of the processing related with timeinformation. It should be noted that the time information processingblock 222 may have an internal counter 222A.

Under the control of the processing block 213, the component processingblock 215 processes (decodes, for example) video and audio componentdata supplied from the packet processing block 214 and outputs theprocessed data to the output block 217. The output block 217 outputs thevideo and audio corresponding to the component data supplied from thecomponent processing block 215.

Under the control of the processing block 213, the ESG processing block216 processes the ESG data supplied from the packet processing block 214and supplies the processed ESG data to the output block 217. The outputblock 217 displays an electronic service guide corresponding to the ESGdata supplied from the ESG processing block 216.

The receiving apparatus 20 is configured as described above. It shouldbe noted that the receiving apparatus 20 may be a mobile receivingmachine such as a mobile telephone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal,in addition to a fixed receiving machine such as a television receiver,a set top box (STB: Set Top Box), or a video recorder. Further, thereceiving apparatus 20 may be an in-car device that is installed aboarda vehicle.

<2. Time Information Processing in Accordance with a Time InformationMode>

Meanwhile, in the transmission system 1 (FIG. 1), in order to providesynchronization between the sending apparatus 10 on the sending side andthe receiving apparatus 20 on the receiving side, time information istransmitted, thereby realizing such processing using this timeinformation as clock synchronization and presentation synchronization.

Here, for time information, the information regarding time specified byUTC (Coordinated Universal Time), PTP (Precision Time Protocol), orlocal time (LT: Local Time) may be used.

UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), the time in the atomic time systemderived from TAI (International Atomic Time), is the reference timeadjusted to the pacing of world time UT1 (namely, the earth rotation).Currently, the standard times of the places around the world aredetermined on the basis of UTC.

A region in which a common standard time is used is referred to as atime zone (Time Zone) which is represented by a difference from UTC inthe indication of the standard time in each region. For example, in theUnited States of America, the Eastern Standard Time (EST: EasternStandard Time) is a standard time obtained by delaying UTC by five hoursand is expressed as “—0500(EST).” Further, for example, in the UnitedStates of America, the Pacific Standard Time (PST: Pacific StandardTime) is a standard time obtained by delaying UTC by eight hours and isexpressed as “−0800(PST).”

PTP is the information representative of the 80-bit time specified inIEEE 1588-2008. The 80-bit PTP is configured by a 48-bit second fieldand a 32-bit nanosecond field. With PTP, the leap second is neitherinserted nor deleted, thereby providing a merit of the easy controlthereof.

Local time (LT) is the time of the standard time of each time zone.Here, in the United States of America, there are plural time zonesinside the state, such as the regions that use the Eastern Standard Timeand the Pacific Standard Time; currently, the content transmitted from abroadcasting station (the sending apparatus 10 thereof) is encoded inaccordance with the local time. Hence, the real situation is that eachlocal station strongly desires the broadcasting operation with localtimes.

Further, the processing using time information includes clocksynchronization, presentation synchronization, ESG (Electronic ServiceGuide) display, and time display.

Clock synchronization denotes that a match is provided between thefrequency of the system clock generated by the sending apparatus 10 (aclock generation block thereof) and the frequency of the system clockgenerated by the receiving apparatus 20 (a clock generation blockthereof). In the transmission system 1, if this clock synchronizationhas not been established, then the receiving apparatus 20 would suffer afailure such as the occurrence of a dropped frame, for example, while adigital broadcast signal is received; therefore, the clocksynchronization need be realized.

Presentation synchronization denotes that a match is provided betweenthe time information of the sending apparatus 10 (the time informationprocessing block thereof) and the time information of the receivingapparatus 20 (the time information processing block thereof) and thetime information (the presentation time information) for presentationunit of components (media) is added to a packet storing the components(data thereof). In the transmission system 1, if the presentationsynchronization has not been established, then, in reproducing content,the receiving apparatus 20 cannot properly provide presentation withoutfailing a buffer by providing video and audio synchronization.

The ESG is an electronic service guide (electronic program table)compliant with the specification of OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) or thelike. An ESG is displayed with the contents in accordance with the localtime of each tine zone. That is, in the United States of America, forexample, ESG data is supposed to be created as being common throughoutthe nation (Nation wide); however, in displaying an ESG, the ESG need bedisplayed with the local time of each time zone.

Time display is a time that is displayed on a screen of the receivingapparatus 20, namely, displayed with a time in accordance with the localtime of each time zone. To be more specific, in the United States ofAmerica, for example, there are plural time zones in the nation, sothat, in displaying a time, the time need be displayed with the localtime of each time zone.

As described above, in the transmission system 1, two or more timeformats such as UTC, PTP, and local time are assumed as timeinformation, so that measures must be taken to handle these timeformats. In addition, since the contents of the processing to beexecuted in the receiving apparatus 20 are different for different timeformats, measures must also be taken to handle the difference. On theother hand, in the transmission system 1, handling of time informationrequires to take the leap second and the summer time into consideration.

The leap second denotes one second that is inserted in the UTC on thebasis of the world-wide treaty so as to prevent UTC going insynchronization with TAI (international atomic time) from gettingdeviated from the world time (UT1) over long years owning to the changein the earth rotational speed. For example, in the case of UTC or localtime, the leap second must be adjusted, while there is no such a needwith PTP.

The summer time (DST: Daylight Saving Time) denotes a system ofadvancing the standard time by one hour for the purpose of effectivelyusing the time zone from sunrise to sunset in the period around thesummer of one year or denotes that advanced time. However, in someregions, the difference between the summer time and the normal time isspecified as 30 minutes rather than one hour. It should be noted thatthe summer time is also referred to the summer time (the Summer Time) inaddition to the daylight saving time (Daylight Saving Time).

Here, in the current ATSC standard, for a descriptor for handling thesummer time, a daylight_saving descriptor is specified. Thisdaylight_saving descriptor has a structure depicted in FIG. 4.

In the daylight_saving descriptor depicted in FIG. 4, a 1-bit DS_statusis representative of a period of the summer time (DST). A 5-bitDS_day_of_month is representative of a date on which the summer time(DST) starts or ends. An 8-bit DS_hour is representative of a time atwhich the summer time (DST) starts or ends. FIG. 5 depicts a basicmethod of using the daylight_saving descriptor (FIG. 4) throughout theyear.

Meanwhile, depending on the operations, the time information used isdifferent from one to another, so that, even if two or more pieces oftime information are used, propositions for handling the discontinuoustime caused by the leap second or the summer time (DST) have beenrequested.

Therefore, the present technology specifies a time information mode inaccordance with two or more pieces of time information and, at the sametime, transmits the time information metadata including the information(the information necessary for the processing of the leap second and thesummer time (DST), for example) necessary for executing the processingcorresponding to two or more time formats, thereby enabling theprocessing related with the time information corresponding to variousoperations in accordance with the time information mode.

(A) Contents of the Processing in the Time Information Mode

FIG. 6 depicts a diagram illustrating the contents of the processingcorresponding to the time information mode.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the time information mode is specified for eachtime information format (each time format). The time formats include UTC(Coordinated Universal Time), PTP, and local time (LT).

That is, if the time format is UTC, then the time information modethereof is the UTC mode. However, in the UTC mode, depending whether thetime zone of component and ESG time lines is UTC or a time zone otherthan UTC, the contents of the processing become different, so that, forthe convenience of description, the UTC mode in the case where the timezone of the time line concerned is called UTC mode A and the UTC mode inthe case where the time zone is other than UTC is called UTC mode B fordistinction.

If the time format is PTP, then the time information mode thereof is thePTP mode. However, in the PTP mode, the PTP mode in the case where thetime zone of component and ESG time lines is UTC is called PTP mode Aand the PTP mode in the case where the time zone is other than UTC iscalled PTP mode B for distinction.

If the time format is the local time, then the time information modethereof is the local time mode. However, in the local time mode, thelocal time mode in the case where the time zone of component and ESGtime lines is UTC is called local time mode A and the local time mode inthe case where the time zone is other than UTC is called local time modeB for distinction.

It should be noted that, although not depicted in FIG. 6, it sometimesoccurs that, when the local format is the local time, the time zone ofcomponent and ESG time lines becomes the local time; the local time modein this case is called local time mode C. Detail contents of the timeinformation processing to be executed on the sending side and thereceiving side corresponding to local time mode C will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 18.

(1-1) UTC Mode A

UTC mode A is a time information mode in which the time format is UTCand the time zone of component and ESG time lines is UTC. In this UTCmode A, if the clock synchronization using the UTC as time informationis executed in the receiving apparatus 20, offset value correction isexecuted, thereby correcting the leap second.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, in the execution of offset valuecorrection, the offset value correction is executed by use of the offsetinformation (the offset value) included in the time information metadatasent from the sending apparatus 10. In the case of UTC mode A (the UTCmode), this offset value is a difference between the reference time andUTC as depicted in FIG. 7.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the horizontal axis is indicative of elapsed timewhile the vertical axis is indicative of time, in which reference timeL0 indicated by a dash line and UTC time L1 indicated by a solid line isoffset value D. It should be noted that, for the reference time, such atime format as PTP or TAI (International Atomic Time), for example thatdoes not correct the leap second and so on is employed. Therefore, asdepicted in FIG. 7, reference time L0 such as PTP can be counted in alinear manner.

On the other hand, in the case of UTC, the leap second is inserted (ordeleted), so that, if the leap second is inserted in time t1 and timet2, then the offset value after the insertion of the leap second in timet1 gets greater than the offset value after the insertion of the leapsecond in time t2. That is to say, in the case of UTC mode A (the UTCmode), the offset value is an integrated value of the leap second.

Returning to the description of FIG. 6, UTC mode A does not require thecorrection of component time line and ESG time line.

On the other hand, in UTC mode A, if the time is displayed (timedisplay) or an ESG is displayed (ESG display) in the receiving apparatus20, time zone correction is executed, thereby execution conversion fromUTC to local time. Further, if time display or ESG display is executedin the receiving apparatus 20 and the summer time (DST) results, thenthe DST correction using the discontinuous time information included inthe time information metadata is executed, thereby processing the localtime corresponding to the summer time (DST).

Although not depicted in FIG. 6, if a component is outputted in thereceiving apparatus 20, the presentation synchronization using internaltime is executed. It should be noted that detail contents of the timeinformation processing to be executed on the sending side and thereceiving side corresponding to UTC mode A will be described later withreference to FIG. 12.

(1-2) UTC Mode B

UTC mode B is a time information mode in which the time format is UTCand the time zone of component and ESG time lines is a time zone otherthan UTC. In this UTC mode B, as with UTC mode A, offset valuecorrection is executed if clock synchronization is executed in thereceiving apparatus 20, thereby correcting the leap second. However, inUTC mode B, as with UTC mode A, an integrated value of the leap secondthat is a difference between reference time (PTP, for example) and UTCis also an offset value.

Further, in UTC mode B, time zone correction is executed on thecomponent and ESG time lines. That is to say, in the receiving apparatus20, the time zone (other than UTC) of the time line of a component isconverted into the local time by the component time zone correction.Still further, in the receiving apparatus 20, the time zone (other thanUTC) of the time line of ESG is converted into the local time by the ESGtime zone correction.

On the other hand, if time display of ESG display is executed in thereceiving apparatus 20, then the time line of ESG need not be correctedbecause the time zone correction (the conversion into the local time)has been executed in the immediately preceding stage.

Although not depicted in FIG. 6, if a component is outputted in thereceiving apparatus 20, the presentation synchronization using internaltime is executed on the component on which the time zone correction (theconversion into the local time) has been executed. It should be notedthat detail contents of the time information processing to be executedon the sending side and the receiving side corresponding to UTC mode Bwill be described later with reference to FIG. 13.

(2-1) PTP Mode A

PTP mode A is a time information mode in which the time format is PTPand the time zone of component and ESG time lines is UTC. In this PTPmode A, PTP is used for the time format, so that, if the clocksynchronization using PTP as the time information is executed in thereceiving apparatus 20, the correction of the leap second need not beexecuted.

In this case, in the relation between PTP and reference time (PTP orTAI, for example), both PTP time L2 indicated by solid line andreference time L0 indicated by dash line are counted in a linear manneras depicted in FIG. 8, so that the offset value always becomes 0. On theother hand, in the case of PTP mode A (the PTP mode), the conversionfrom PTP to UTC is required in order to execute time display and ESGdisplay and presentation synchronization, so that, in PTP mode A (thePTP mode), it is required to set a value (a PTP-UTC offset value) forthe conversion from PTP to UTC as the offset value. This offset value isincluded in the time information metadata.

Returning to the description of FIG. 6, in PTP mode A, the correction isnot required for the time line of component and the time line of theESG.

On the other hand, in PTP mode A, if time display or ESG display isexecuted in the receiving apparatus 20, the offset value correctionusing the offset information (an offset value) included in the timeinformation metadata is executed, thereby converting PTP to UTC. Then,in the receiving apparatus 20, the time zone correction is executed,thereby converting UTC to the local time. Further, if time display orESG display is executed in the receiving apparatus 20 and the summertime (DST) is resulted, the DST correction using the discontinuous timeinformation included in the time information metadata is executed,thereby processing the local time corresponding to the summer time(DST).

It should be noted that, although not depicted in FIG. 6, if a componentis outputted in the receiving apparatus 20, the presentationsynchronization using internal time is executed. Further, detailcontents of the time information processing to be executed on thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to PTP mode A will bedescribed later with reference to FIG. 14.

(2-2) PTP Mode B

PTP mode B is a time information mode in which the time format is PTPand the time zone of component time line and ESG time line is a timezone other than UTC. In PTP mode B, as with PTP mode A, if the clocksynchronization using The PTP as time information is executed in thereceiving apparatus 20, the correction of the leap second is notrequired.

Further, in PTP mode B, the time zone correction is executed on thecomponent and ESG time lines. That is y, in the receiving apparatus 20,the time zone (other than UTC) of the component time line is convertedinto the local time by the component time line zone correction. Further,in the receiving apparatus 20, the time zone (other than UTC) of the ESGtime line is converted into the local time by the ESG time zonecorrection.

On the other hand, if time display or ESG display is executed in thereceiving apparatus 20, the time line of EST need not be correctedbecause the time zone correction (the conversion to the local time) hasbeen executed in the immediately preceding stage. However, if timedisplay is executed, for example, if time display is executed, forexample, the offset value correction using the offset information (anoffset value) included in the time information metadata is executed,thereby converting PTP into UTC.

Although not depicted in FIG. 6, if a component is outputted in thereceiving apparatus 20, the presentation synchronization using internaltime is executed on the component on which the time zone correction (theconversion to the local time) has been executed. It should be noted thatdetail contents of the time information processing to be executed on thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to PTP mode B will bedescribed later with reference to FIG. 15.

(3-1) Local Time Mode A

Local time mode A is a time information mode in which the time format isthe local time and the time zone of component and ESG time lines is UTC.In this local time mode A, if the clock synchronization using the localtime as the time information is executed in the receiving apparatus 20,the offset correction is executed, thereby correcting the leap secondand the summer time (DST).

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, in the execution of offset valuecorrection, the offset value correction is executed by use of the offsetinformation (the offset value) included in the time information metadatasent from the sending apparatus 10. In the case of local mode A (thelocal time mode), this offset value is a difference between thereference time and local time as depicted in FIG. 9.

As depicted in FIG. 9, a difference between reference time L0 indicatedby dash line and local time L3 indicated by solid line provides offsetvalue D. However, for reference time L0, PTP, for example is employedthat can be counted in a linear manner.

On the other hand, the leap second is inserted (or deleted) into thelocal time, so that, if the leap second is inserted at time t1 and timet4, for example, the offset value after the insertion of the leap secondat time t4 becomes greater than the offset value after the insertion ofthe leap second at time t1.

Further, it is necessary for the local time to take the summer time(DST) into consideration, so that the value of offset value fluctuatesin accordance with the summer time (DST) between time t2 at which DSTstarts to time t3 at which DST ends and the summer time (DST) betweentime t5 at which DST starts and time t6 at which DST ends. That is tosay, in the case of local time mode A (the local time mode), the offsetvalue becomes a value (including both the leap second and the summertime (DST)) obtained by adding the integrated value of the leap secondand the variation of the summer time (DST) together.

Returning to the description of FIG. 6, in local time mode A, the timezone correction is executed on component and ESG time lines. That is tosay, in the receiving apparatus 20, the time zone (UTC) of the componenttime line is converted into the local time by the component time zonecorrection. Further, in the receiving apparatus 20, the time zone (UTC)of the ESG time line is converted into the local time by the ESG timezone correction.

On the other hand, if time display or ESG display is executed in thereceiving apparatus 20, then the time zone correction (the conversion tothe local time) has been executed on the ESG time line in theimmediately preceding stage, so that the correction need not beexecuted.

Although not depicted in FIG. 6, if a component is outputted in thereceiving apparatus 20, then the presentation synchronization usinginternal time is executed on the component on which the time zonecorrection (the conversion to the local time) has been executed. Itshould be noted that detail contents of the time information processingto be executed on the sending side and the receiving side correspondingto local time mode A will be described later with reference to FIG. 16.

(3-2) Local Time Mode B

Local time mode B is a time information mode in which the time format isthe local time and the time zone of component and ESG time lines is atime zone other than UTC. Also in this local time mode B, as with localtime mode A, if clock synchronization is executed in the receivingapparatus 20, offset correction is executed, thereby executing leapsecond correction. However, in local time mode B, as with local timemode A, a value obtained by adding an integrated value of leap secondand a variation of summer time (DST) together that is a differencebetween reference time (PTP, for example) and local time provides anoffset value.

Further, in local time mode B, time zone correction is executed oncomponent and ESG time lines. That is, in the receiving apparatus 20,the time zone (other than UTC) of component time line is converted intothe local time by the component time zone correction. Further, in thereceiving apparatus 20, the time zone (other than UTC) of ESG time lineis converted into the local time.

On the other hand, if time display or ESG display is executed in thereceiving apparatus 20, then the correction of the ESG time line is notrequired because the time zone correction (the conversion to the localtime) has been executed in the immediately preceding stage.

Although not depicted in FIG. 6, if a component is outputted in thereceiving apparatus 20, the presentation synchronization using internaltime is executed on the component on which the time zone correction (theconversion to the local time) has been executed. It should be noted thatdetail contents of the time information processing to be executed on thesending side and the receiving side corresponding to local time mode Bwill be described later with reference to FIG. 17.

It should be noted that, in FIG. 6, if the time zone is equal to thelocal time, then the component time zone correction and the ESG timezone correction need not be executed. Further, if a clocksynchronization scheme proposed in Japanese Patent Application No.2015-157707 by the inventor of the present application in which thephysical layer clock synchronizes with the system clock is employed, theoffset value correction need not be executed in the clocksynchronization using time information that is executed in the UTC modeand the local time mode.

In addition, in the time information processing to be executed inaccordance with the time information mode depicted in FIG. 6, the offsetvalue correction using the offset information (the offset value)included in the time information metadata is executed; however, only theinformation associated with the start time and the end time of suppertime (DST) is included in daylight_saving descriptor (FIG. 4) specifiedin the current ATSC standard, the above-mentioned offset informationbeing not included.

However, the offset information (the offset value) may be transmitted asincluded in the time information metadata, while an equivalent offsetvalue may be computed inside the receiving apparatus 20 by use of analternative signal (Leap Indicator, for example), for example.

Further, it is a general practice for the time information sent from thesending apparatus 10 of a broadcasting station to the receivingapparatus 20 to be generated from GPS time. Here, GPS time is theinformation of a time measured by use of a GPS (Global PositioningSystem). It should be noted that, since leap-second adjustment is notexecuted with the GPS time, the leap second must be adjusted in theconversion to UTC or the like.

For example, as depicted in FIG. 10, if UTC is sent as the timeinformation in the sending apparatus 10, a GPS-UTC conversion block 141converts the GPS time in accordance with a UTC parameter (a leap-secondoffset value, for example), thereby providing the time informationspecified in UTC. It should be noted that FIG. 11 depicts an example ofUTC parameters. Further, as depicted in FIG. 10, if the local time issent as the time information, a UTC-Local conversion block 142 convertsUTC in accordance with parameters such as time zone and summer time(DST), thereby providing the local time.

It should be noted that, when a signaling generation block 143 sets timeinformation to availabilityStartTime attribute included in the MPD(Media Presentation Description) metadata, for example, the timeinformation concerned is also corrected in accordance with parameterssuch as time zone and summer time (DST). It should be noted that the MPDmetadata is control information for managing the reproduction of astream of a component (media). Further, the MPD metadata is compliantwith the standard of MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP).

The following describes details of the contents of the time informationprocessing to be executed on the sending side and the receiving sidecorresponding to the above-described time information mode withreference to FIG. 12 through FIG. 18.

(1-1) UTC Mode A

FIG. 12 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing tobe executed on the sending side and the receiving side corresponding toUTC mode A.

As depicted in FIG. 12, data sent from the sending apparatus 10 of abroadcasting station depicted in the left side of the diagram isreceived by the receiving apparatus 20 depicted in the right side of thediagram and the time information processing in accordance with UTC modeA is executed in this receiving apparatus 20.

It should be noted that, in the sending apparatus 10 depicted in FIG.12, a time information conversion block 151 corresponds to the timeinformation processing block 122 depicted in FIG. 2. Also, in thereceiving apparatus 20 depicted in FIG. 12, a clock synchronizationblock 251, a presentation synchronization block 252, and time and ESGdisplay processing block 253 correspond to the time informationprocessing block 222, the component processing block 215, and the ESGprocessing block 216 depicted in FIG. 3, respectively. It should benoted that these relations hold true with other diagrams (FIG. 14, forexample).

In the sending apparatus 10 of the broadcasting station, GPS time andoffset information are entered in the time information conversion block151. The time information conversion block 151 converts GPS time to UTCby correcting the difference between GPS time and UTC by use of theoffset information as a UTC parameter. Consequently, the UTC as timeinformation is obtained.

Further, in the sending apparatus 10, the time information metadata isgenerated. This time information metadata includes time informationmode, offset information, time zone information, and discontinuous timeinformation.

Here, for the time information mode, the UTC mode is set. For the offsetinformation, an offset value between reference time (PTP, for example)and UTC is set, for example. For the time zone information, information(+/−12 relative to UTC) indicative of the standard time of that regionby the difference with UTC is set. The discontinuous time information isthe information associated with a discontinuous time such as the leapsecond and the summer time (DST), including a date and time at which thetime becomes discontinuous next, a variation of the time that becomesdiscontinuous next, and a type of the time that becomes discontinuous.

The sending apparatus 10 sends a broadcast stream including the UTC astime information and time information metadata to the receivingapparatus 20 via the transmission path 30. Also, in the sendingapparatus 10, video and audio components and an ESG (the data thereof)are processed so as to be included in a broadcast stream. In the case ofUTC mode A, however, the time zone of component and ESG time lines isUTC.

On the other hand, the receiving apparatus 20 receives the broadcaststream sent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30.This broadcast stream includes the UTC as time information, timeinformation metadata, video and audio components, and the ESG (the datathereof). In this example, the receiving apparatus 20 operates in UTCmode A (the UTC mode) in accordance with the time information modeincluded in the time information metadata.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, the UTC as time information and theoffset information included in the time information metadata are enteredin the clock synchronization block 251. The clock synchronization block251 executes the clock synchronization by use of the UTC as timeinformation.

It should be noted that, in executing the clock synchronization by useof UTC, the clock synchronization block 251 corrects the leap second byexecuting the offset value correction by use of the offset information(the offset value).

That is, here, the offset value between reference time (PTP, forexample) and UTC is indicative of the integrated value of the leapsecond, so that the leap second is corrected by use of this offsetvalue. That is to say, here, the time information for use in the clocksynchronization must be counted in a linear manner, so thatreference-time matching can be provided by executing offset valuecorrection.

Then, the clock synchronization block 251 supplies the UTC as internaltime to the presentation synchronization block 252 and the time and ESGdisplay processing block 253.

The internal time (UTC) from the clock synchronization block 251, thecomponent (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomesUTC, and the discontinuous time information included in the timeinformation metadata are entered in the presentation synchronizationblock 252.

The presentation synchronization block 252 realizes presentationsynchronization by processing the component (the data thereof) in whichthe time zone of time line becomes UTC by use of the internal time (UTC)from the clock synchronization block 251. Then, the presentationsynchronization block 252 outputs the presentation-synchronized videoand audio component (the data thereof). This presentationsynchronization realizes, when the receiving apparatus 20 reproducescontent, for example, the proper presentation involving no bufferfailure by providing video and audio synchronization.

It should be noted that, in the execution of presentationsynchronization, the presentation synchronization block 252 can executethe processing that uses the information (the information such as dateand time at which the next leap second is adjusted, for example)associated with the leap second that is entered as discontinuous timeinformation as required.

The internal time (UTC) from the clock synchronization block 251, theESG (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomes UTC,and the time zone information and discontinuous time informationincluded in the time information metadata are entered in the time andESG display processing block 253.

If time display is executed, the time and ESG display processing block253 executes time zone correction on the basis of the time zoneinformation, thereby converting the internal time (UTC) into the localtime. Then, the time and ESG display processing block 253 displays thetime corresponding to the local time.

Further, if ESG display is executed, the time and ESG display processingblock 253 executes time zone correction on the basis of the time zoneinformation so as to process the ESG (the data thereof) in which thetime zone of time line becomes UTC, thereby converting the time zone(UTC) of the ESG into the local time. Then, the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253 displays the ESG corresponding to the local time.

Still further, if time display or ESG display is executed, the summertime (DST) results, then the time and ESG display processing block 253execute DST correction on the basis of the discontinuous timeinformation (the information such as the date and time of the nextsummer time (DST) and a period thereof), thereby executing theprocessing by the local time corresponding to the summer time (DST). Inthis DST correction, the standard time (the local time) is advanced byone hour, for example, thereby enabling the processing by the local timecorresponding to the summer time (DST).

As described above, in UTC mode A, the sending apparatus 10 transmitsthe time information metadata including the information (the offsetinformation, for example) for executing the time information processingcorresponding to UTC mode A along with the UTC as time information tothe receiving apparatus 20 which then can execute the time informationprocessing in accordance with UTC mode A by use this time informationmetadata.

(1-2) UTC Mode B

FIG. 13 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing tobe executed on the sending side and the receiving side corresponding toUTC mode B.

As depicted in FIG. 13, the data sent from the sending apparatus 10 ofthe broadcasting station depicted in the left side of the diagram isreceived by the receiving apparatus 20 depicted in the right side of thediagram and the time information processing corresponding to UTC mode Bis executed in this receiving apparatus 20.

It should be noted that, in the sending apparatus 10 depicted in FIG.13, the time information conversion block 151 corresponds to the timeinformation processing block 122 depicted in FIG. 2. Further, in thereceiving apparatus 20 depicted in FIG. 13, the clock synchronizationblock 251, the presentation synchronization block 252, the time and ESGdisplay processing block 253, a component time zone correction block254, and an ESG time zone correction block 255 correspond to the timeinformation processing block 222, the component processing block 215,and the ESG processing block 216 depicted in FIG. 3. It should be notedthat these relations hold true with other diagrams (FIG. 15 through FIG.17, for example) to be described later.

In the sending apparatus 10 of the broadcasting station, the timeinformation conversion block 151 corrects the difference between GPStime and UTC by use of the offset information as a UTC parameter,thereby converting GPS time into UTC. Consequently, the UTC as the timeinformation is obtained.

In addition, the time information metadata is generated in the sendingapparatus 10. This time information metadata includes time informationmode, offset information, component time zone information, time zoneinformation, discontinuous time information, and ESG time zoneinformation.

Here, time information mode, offset information, time zone information,and discontinuous time information are similar to those in UTC mode A(FIG. 12) described above, so that description thereof is skipped. Tocomponent time zone information, the time zone of a component is set. ToESG time zone information, the time zone of the ESG is set.

The sending apparatus 10 sends a broadcast stream including the UTC astime information and time information metadata to the receivingapparatus 20 via the transmission path 30. Further, in the sendingapparatus 10, video and audio components and the ESG (the data thereof)are processed to be included in a broadcast stream. However, in the caseof UTC mode B, the time zone of component and ESG time lines is a timezone other than UTC.

On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus 20, a broadcast streamsent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30 isreceived. This broadcast stream includes the UTC as time information,time information metadata, video and audio components, and the ESG (thedata thereof). The receiving apparatus 20 operates in UTC mode B (theUTC mode) in accordance with the time information mode included in thetime information metadata.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, the UTC as time information and theoffset information included in the time information metadata are enteredin the clock synchronization block 251. In the clock synchronizationblock 251, clock synchronization by use of the UTC as time informationis executed.

However, in executing clock synchronization using UTC, the clocksynchronization block 251 corrects the leap second by executing offsetvalue correction by use of the offset information (the offset value).That is to say, here, since the offset value between reference time(PTP, for example) and UTC is indicative of an integrated value of theleap second, the leap second is corrected by use of this offset value.

Next, the clock synchronization block 251 supplies the UTC as internaltime to the presentation synchronization block 252 and the time and ESGdisplay processing block 253.

The component (data thereof) in which the tine zone of time line is atime zone other than UTC, the component time zone information and thetime zone information included in the time information metadata areentered in the component time zone correction block 254.

The component time zone correction block 254 executes component timezone correction on the basis of the component time zone information andthe time zone information, thereby converting the time zone (other thanUTC) of the component into the local time. Then, the component time zonecorrection block 254 supplies the component (the data thereof) after thetime zone correction to the presentation synchronization block 252.

The internal clock (UTC) from the clock synchronization block 251, thecomponent (the data thereof) from the component time zone correctionblock 254, and the discontinuous time information included in the timeinformation metadata are entered in the presentation synchronizationblock 252.

The presentation synchronization block 252 processes the component (thedata thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomes the local timein accordance with the internal time (UTC) from the clocksynchronization block 251, thereby realizing presentationsynchronization. Then, the presentation synchronization block 252outputs the presentation-synchronized video and audio components (thedata thereof.) It should be noted that, in executing presentationsynchronization, the presentation synchronization block 252 can executethe processing that uses discontinuous time information (the informationassociated with the leap second, for example) as required.

The ESG (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomes atime zone other than UTC and the ESG time zone information and the timezone information included in the time information metadata are enteredin the ESG time zone correction block 255.

The ESG time zone correction block 255 executes ESG time zone correctionon the basis of the ESG time zone information and the time zoneinformation, thereby converting the time zone (other than UTC) of an ESGinto the local time. Then, the ESG time zone correction block 255supplies the ESG (the data thereof) after the time zone correction tothe time and ESG display processing block 253.

The internal clock (UTC) from the clock synchronization block 251, theESG (the data thereof) from the ESG time zone correction block 255, andthe discontinuous time information included in the time informationmetadata are entered in the time and ESG display processing block 253.

If time display is executed, the time and ESG display processing block253 processes the internal time (UTC) and the ESG (the data thereof),for example, thereby displaying the time corresponding to the localtime. Further, if ESG display is executed, the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253 processes the EST (the data thereof) in which thetime zone of time line becomes the local time, thereby displaying theESG corresponding to the local time.

It should be noted that, in executing time display or ESG display, thetime and ESG display processing block 253 can execute the processingthat uses discontinuous time information (the information associatedwith the leap second, for example) as required.

As described above, in UTC mode B, the sending apparatus 10 transmitsthe time information metadata including the information (the offsetinformation, for example) for executing the time information processingcorresponding to UTC mode B along with the UTC as time information tothe receiving apparatus 20 which then can execute the time informationprocessing in accordance with UTC mode B by use this time informationmetadata.

(2-1) PTP Mode A

FIG. 14 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing tobe executed on the sending side and the receiving side corresponding toPTP mode A.

As depicted in FIG. 14, the data sent from the sending apparatus 10 of abroadcasting station depicted in the left side of the diagram isreceived by the receiving apparatus 20 depicted in the right side of thediagram and the time information processing in accordance with PTP modeA is executed in the receiving apparatus 20.

In the sending apparatus 10 in the broadcasting station, the timeinformation conversion block 151 converts the GPS time entered thereininto PTP. Consequently, the PTP as time information is obtained.

Further, in the sending apparatus 10, time information metadata isgenerated. This time information metadata includes time informationmode, offset information, time zone information, and discontinuous timeinformation. Here, for the time information mode, a PTP mode is set. Forthe offset information, a value (a PTP-UTC offset value) for convertingPTP into UTC is set.

The sending apparatus 10 sends a broadcast stream including the PTP astime information and the time information metadata to the receivingapparatus 20 via the transmission path 30. Further, in the sendingapparatus 10, the video and audio components and the ESG (the datathereof) are processed to be included in the broadcast stream. However,in the case of PTP mode A, the time zone of component and ESG time linesis UTC.

On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus 20, the broadcast streamsent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30 isreceived. This broadcast stream includes the PTP as time information,time information metadata, video and audio components, and the ESG (thedata thereof). The receiving apparatus 20 operates in PTP mode A (thePTP mode) in accordance with the time information mode included in thetime information metadata.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, the clock synchronization isexecuted by the clock synchronization block 251 by use of the PTP astime information. However, if the PTP is used as time information, theleap second need not be executed in the clock synchronization. The clocksynchronization block 251 supplies the PTP as internal time to thepresentation synchronization block 252 and the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253.

The internal time (PTP) from the clock synchronization block 251, thecomponent (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomesUTC, and the offset information and the discontinuous time informationboth included in the time information metadata are entered in thepresentation synchronization block 252.

The presentation synchronization block 252 executes offset valuecorrection by use of the PTP-UTC offset value included in the offsetinformation, thereby converting the internal time (PTP) from the clocksynchronization block 251 into UTC. By use of the UTC obtained byconverting the internal time (PTP), the presentation synchronizationblock 252 processes the component (the data thereof) in which the timezone of time line becomes UTC, thereby realizing presentationsynchronization. Then, the presentation synchronization block 252outputs the presentation-synchronized video and audio components (thedata thereof).

It should be noted that, in executing presentation synchronization, thepresentation synchronization block 252 can execute the processing thatuses the discontinuous information (the information associated with theleap second, for example) as required.

The internal time (PTP) from the clock synchronization block 251 the ESG(the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomes UTC, andthe offset information, the time zone information, and discontinuoustime information all included in the time information metadata areentered in the time and ESG display processing block 253.

If time display or ESG display is executed, the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253 executes offset value correction by use of thePTP-UTC offset value included in the offset information, therebyconverting the internal time (PTP) from the clock synchronization block251 into UTC.

Then, if time display is executed, the time and ESG display processingblock 253 executes time zone correction on the basis of the time zoneinformation, thereby converting the UTC obtained by converting theinternal time (PTP) into the local time. Next, the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253 displays the time corresponding to the local time.

In addition, if ESG display is executed, the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253 executes time zone correction on the basis of thetime zone information, thereby converting the UTC obtained by convertingthe internal time (PTP) into the local time. Then, the time and ESGdisplay processing block 253 displays the time corresponding to thelocal time.

Further, if time display or ESG display is executed and the summer time(DST) results, the time and ESG display processing block 253 executesDST correction on the basis of the discontinuous time information (theinformation such as the date and time of the next summer time (DST) anda period thereof), thereby executing the processing by the local timecorresponding to the summer time (DST).

As described above, in PTP mode A, the sending apparatus 10 transmitsthe time information metadata including the information (the offsetinformation, for example) for executing the time information processingcorresponding to PTP mode A along with the PTP as time information tothe receiving apparatus 20 which then can execute the time informationprocessing in accordance with PTP mode A by use this time informationmetadata.

(2-2) PTP Mode B

FIG. 15 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing tobe executed on the sending side and the receiving side corresponding toPTP mode B.

As depicted in FIG. 15, the data sent from the sending apparatus 10 of abroadcasting station depicted in the left side of the diagram isreceived by the receiving apparatus 20 depicted in the right side of thediagram and the time information processing in accordance with PTP modeB is executed in the receiving apparatus 20.

In the sending apparatus 10 in the broadcasting station, the timeinformation conversion block 151 converts the GPS time entered thereininto PTP. Consequently, the PTP as time information is obtained.

Further, in the sending apparatus 10, time information metadata isgenerated. This time information metadata includes time informationmode, offset information, component time zone information, time zoneinformation, discontinuous time information, and ESG time zoneinformation. Here, for the time information mode, a PTP mode is set. Forthe offset information, a value (a PTP-UTC offset value) for convertingPTP into UTC is set.

The sending apparatus 10 sends a broadcast stream including the PTP astime information and the time information metadata to the receivingapparatus 20 via the transmission path 30. Further, in the sendingapparatus 10, the video and audio components and the ESG (the datathereof) are processed to be included in the broadcast stream. However,in the case of PTP mode B, the time zone of component and ESG time linesis a time zone other than UTC.

On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus 20, the broadcast streamsent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30 isreceived. This broadcast stream includes the PTP as time information,time information metadata, video and audio components, and the ESG (thedata thereof). The receiving apparatus 20 operates in PTP mode B (thePTP mode) in accordance with the time information mode included in thetime information metadata.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, the clock synchronization isexecuted by the clock synchronization block 251 by use of the PTP astime information as with PTP mode A (FIG. 14) described above. The clocksynchronization block 251 supplies the PTP as internal time to thepresentation synchronization block 252 and the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253.

The component (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time linebecomes a time zone other than UTC and the component time zoneinformation and the time zone information both included in the timeinformation metadata are entered in component time zone correction block254.

The component time zone correction block 254 execute componentcorrection on the basis of the component time zone information and thetime zone information, thereby converting the time zone (other than UTC)of component into the local time. Then, the component time zonecorrection block 254 supplies the component (the data thereof) after thetime zone correction to the presentation synchronization block 252.

The internal time (PTP) from the clock synchronization block 251, thecomponent (the data thereof) from the component time zone correctionblock 254, and the offset information and the discontinuous timeinformation both included in the time information metadata are enteredin the presentation synchronization block 252.

The presentation synchronization block 252 executes offset valuecorrection by use of the PTP-UTC offset value included in the offsetinformation, thereby converting the internal time (PTP) from the clocksynchronization block 251 into UTC. By use of the UTC obtained byconverting the internal time (PTP), the presentation synchronizationblock 252 processes the component in which the time zone of time linebecomes the local time, thereby realizing presentation synchronization.Then, the presentation synchronization block 252 outputs thepresentation-synchronized video and audio components (the data thereof).

The ESG (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomes atime zone other than UTC and the ESG time zone information and the timezone information both included in the time information metadata areentered in the ESG time zone correction block 255.

The ESG time zone correction block 255 executes ESG time zone correctionon the basis of the ESG time zone information and the time zoneinformation, thereby converting the time zone (other than UTC) of an ESGinto the local time. Then, the ESG time zone correction block 255supplies the ESG (the data thereof) after the time zone correction tothe time and ESG display processing block 253.

The internal time (PTP) from the clock synchronization block 251, theESG (the data thereof) from the ESG time zone correction block 255, andthe offset information and the discontinuous time information bothincluded in the time information metadata are entered in the time andESG display processing block 253.

If time display is executed, the time and ESG display processing block253 executes offset value correction by use of the PTP-UTC offset valueincluded in the offset information, thereby converting the internal time(PTP) from the clock synchronization block 251 into UTC. Then, time andESG display processing block 253 processes the UTC obtained by theconversion of the internal time (PTP) and the ESG (the data thereof),thereby displaying the time corresponding to the local time, forexample.

Further, if ESG display is executed, the time and ESG display processingblock 253 processes the ESG (the data thereof) in which the time zone oftime line becomes the local time, thereby displaying the ESGcorresponding to the local time.

It should be noted that, in executing time display or ESG display, thetime and ESG display processing block 253 can execute the processingthat uses the discontinuous time information (the information associatedwith the leap second, for example) as required.

As described above, in PTP mode B, the sending apparatus 10 transmitsthe time information metadata including the information (the offsetinformation, for example) for executing the time information processingcorresponding to PTP mode B along with the PTP as time information tothe receiving apparatus 20 which then can execute the time informationprocessing in accordance with PTP mode B by use this time informationmetadata.

(3-1) Local Time Mode A

FIG. 16 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing tobe executed on the sending side and the receiving side corresponding tolocal time mode A.

As depicted in FIG. 16, the data sent from the sending apparatus 10 of abroadcasting station depicted in the left side of the diagram isreceived by the receiving apparatus 20 depicted in the right side of thediagram and the time information processing in accordance with localtime mode A is executed in the receiving apparatus 20.

In the sending apparatus 10 in the broadcasting station, the timeinformation conversion block 151 converts GPS time into local time bycorrecting the difference between the GPS time and the local time by useof offset information. Consequently, the local time as time informationis obtained.

Further, in the sending apparatus 10, time information metadata isgenerated. This time information metadata includes time informationmode, offset information, time zone information, and discontinuous timeinformation. Here, for the time information mode, a local time mode isset. For the offset information, an offset value between the referencetime (PTP, for example) and the local time is set, for example.

The sending apparatus 10 sends a broadcast stream including the localtime as time information and the time information metadata to thereceiving apparatus 20 via the transmission path 30. Further, in thesending apparatus 10, the video and audio components and the ESG (thedata thereof) are processed to be included in the broadcast stream.However, in the case of local time mode A, the time zone of componentand ESG time lines is UTC.

On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus 20, the broadcast streamsent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30 isreceived. This broadcast stream includes the local time as timeinformation, time information metadata, video and audio components, andthe ESG (the data thereof). The receiving apparatus 20 operates in localtime mode A (the local time mode) in accordance with the timeinformation mode included in the time information metadata.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, the local time as time informationand the offset information included in the time information metadata areentered in the clock synchronization block 251. In the clocksynchronization block 251, clock synchronization is executed by use ofthe local time as time information.

However, in executing the clock synchronization by use of the localtime, the clock synchronization block 251 corrects the leap second andthe summer time (DST) by executing offset value correction by use ofoffset information (an offset value).

That is, here, the offset value between the reference time (PTP, forexample) and the local time is indicative of a value (a value includingboth the leap second and the summer time (DST)) obtained by adding theintegrated value of the leap second and the variation of the summer time(DST), so that both the leap second and the summer time (DST) arecorrected by use of this offset value. That is to say, here, the timeinformation for use in clock synchronization must be counted in a linearmanner, so that reference-time matching can be provided by executingoffset value correction.

Then, the clock synchronization block 251 supplies the local time asinternal time to presentation synchronization block 252 and the time andESG display processing block 253.

The component (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time linebecomes UTC and the time zone information included in the timeinformation metadata are entered in the component time zone correctionblock 254.

The component time zone correction block 254 executes component timezone correction on the basis of time zone information, therebyconverting the time zone (UTC) of a component into the local time. Then,the component time zone correction block 254 supplies the component (thedata thereof) after the time zone correction to the presentationsynchronization block 252.

The internal time (the local time) from the clock synchronization block251, the component (the data thereof) from the component time zonecorrection block 254, and the discontinuous time information included inthe time information metadata are entered in the presentationsynchronization block 252.

By use of the internal time (the local time) from the clocksynchronization block 251, the presentation synchronization block 252processes the component (the data thereof) in which the time zone oftime line becomes the local time, thereby realizing presentationsynchronization. Then, the presentation synchronization block 252outputs the presentation-synchronized video and audio components (thedata thereof). It should be noted that, in executing presentationsynchronization, presentation synchronization block 252 can execute theprocessing that uses the discontinuous information (the informationassociated with the leap second, for example) as required.

The ESG (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomesUTC and the time zone information included in the time informationmetadata are entered in the ESG time zone correction block 255.

The ESG time zone correction block 255 executes ESG time zone correctionon the basis of time zone information, thereby converting the time zone(UTC) of an ESG into the local time. Then, the ESG time zone correctionblock 255 supplies the ESG (the data thereof) after the time zonecorrection to the time and ESG display processing block 253.

The internal time (the local time) from the clock synchronization block251, the ESG (the data thereof) from the ESG time zone correction block255, and the discontinuous time information included in the timeinformation metadata are entered in the time and ESG display processingblock 253.

If time display is executed, the time and ESG display processing block253 processes the internal time (the local time) from the clocksynchronization block 251, thereby displaying the time corresponding tothe local time. Further, if ESG display is executed, the time and ESGdisplay processing block 253 processes the ESG (the data thereof) inwhich the time zone of time line becomes the local time, therebydisplaying the ESG corresponding to the local time.

It should be noted that, in executing time display or ESG display, thetime and ESG display processing block 253 can execute the processing byuse of the discontinuous time information (the information associatedwith the leap second, for example) as required.

As described above, in the local time mode A, the sending apparatus 10transmits the time information metadata including the information (theoffset information, for example) for executing the time informationprocessing corresponding to the local time mode A along with the localtime as time information to the receiving apparatus 20 which then canexecute the time information processing in accordance with the localtime mode A by use this time information metadata.

(3-2) Local Time Mode B

FIG. 17 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing tobe executed on the sending side and the receiving side corresponding tolocal time mode B.

As depicted in FIG. 17, the data sent from the sending apparatus 10 of abroadcasting station depicted in the left side of the diagram isreceived by the receiving apparatus 20 depicted in the right side of thediagram and the time information processing in accordance with localtime mode B is executed in the receiving apparatus 20.

In the sending apparatus 10 in the broadcasting station, the timeinformation conversion block 151 converts GPS time into local time bycorrecting the difference between the GPS time and the local time by useof offset information. Consequently, the local time as time informationis obtained.

Further, in the sending apparatus 10, time information metadata isgenerated. This time information metadata includes time informationmode, offset information, component time zone information, time zoneinformation, discontinuous time information, and ESG time zoneinformation. Here, for the time information mode, a local time mode isset. For the offset information, an offset value between the referencetime (PTP, for example) and the local time are set, for example.

The sending apparatus 10 sends a broadcast stream including the localtime as time information and the time information metadata to thereceiving apparatus 20 via the transmission path 30. Further, in thesending apparatus 10, the video and audio components and the ESG (thedata thereof) are processed to be included in the broadcast stream.However, in the case of local time mode B, the time zone of componentand ESG time lines is a time zone other than UTC.

On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus 20, the broadcast streamsent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30 isreceived. This broadcast stream includes the local time as timeinformation, time information metadata, video and audio components, andthe ESG (the data thereof). The receiving apparatus 20 operates in localtime mode B (the local time mode) in accordance with the timeinformation mode included in the time information metadata.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, the local time as time informationand the offset information included in the time information metadata areentered in the clock synchronization block 251. In the clocksynchronization block 251, clock synchronization is executed by use ofthe local time as time information.

However, in executing the clock synchronization by use of the localtime, the clock synchronization block 251 corrects the leap second andthe summer time (DST) by executing offset value correction by use ofoffset information (an offset value). That is, the offset value betweenthe reference time (PTP, for example) and the local time is indicativeof a value (a value including both the leap second and the summer time(DST)) obtained by adding the integrated value of the leap second andthe variation of the summer time (DST), so that both the leap second andthe summer time (DST) are corrected by use of this offset value.

Then, the clock synchronization block 251 supplies the local time asinternal time to the presentation synchronization block 252 and the timeand ESG display processing block 253.

The component (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time linebecomes a time zone other than UTC and the component time zoneinformation and the time zone information both included in the timeinformation metadata are entered in the component time zone correctionblock 254.

The component time zone correction block 254 executes component timezone correction on the basis of the component time zone information andthe time zone information, thereby converting the time zone (other thanUTC) of a component into the local time. Then, the component time zonecorrection block 254 supplies the component (the data thereof) after thetime zone correction to the presentation synchronization block 252.

The internal time (the local time) from the clock synchronization block251, the component (the data thereof) from the component time zonecorrection block 254, and the discontinuous time information included inthe time information metadata are entered in the presentationsynchronization block 252.

By use of the internal time (the local time) from the clocksynchronization block 251, the presentation synchronization block 252processes the component (the data thereof) in which the time zone oftime line becomes the local time, thereby realizing presentationsynchronization. Then, the presentation synchronization block 252outputs the presentation-synchronized video and audio components (thedata thereof). It should be noted that, in executing presentationsynchronization, presentation synchronization block 252 can execute theprocessing that uses the discontinuous information (the informationassociated with the leap second, for example) as required.

The ESG (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time line becomes atime zone other than UTC and the ESG time zone information and the timezone information both included in the time information metadata areentered in the ESG time zone correction block 255.

The ESG time zone correction block 255 executes ESG time zone correctionon the basis of the ESG time zone information and the time zoneinformation, thereby converting the time zone (other than UTC) of an ESGinto the local time. Then, the ESG time zone correction block 255supplies the ESG (the data thereof) after the time zone correction tothe time and ESG display processing block 253.

The internal time (the local time) from the clock synchronization block251, the ESG (the data thereof) from the ESG time zone correction block255, and the discontinuous time information included in the timeinformation metadata are entered in the time and ESG display processingblock 253.

If time display is executed, the time and ESG display processing block253 processes the internal time (the local time) from the clocksynchronization block 251, thereby displaying the time corresponding tothe local time. Further, if ESG display is executed, the time and ESGdisplay processing block 253 processes the ESG (the data thereof) inwhich the time zone of time line becomes the local time, therebydisplaying the ESG corresponding to the local time.

It should be noted that, in executing time display or ESG display, thetime and ESG display processing block 253 can execute the processing byuse of the discontinuous time information (the information associatedwith the leap second, for example) as required.

As described above, in the local time mode B, the sending apparatus 10transmits the time information metadata including the information (theoffset information, for example) for executing the time informationprocessing corresponding to the local time mode B along with the localtime as time information to the receiving apparatus 20 which then canexecute the time information processing in accordance with the localtime mode B by use this time information metadata.

(3-3) Local Time Mode C

FIG. 18 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the processing tobe executed on the sending side and the receiving side corresponding tolocal time mode C.

As depicted in FIG. 18, the data sent from the sending apparatus 10 of abroadcasting station depicted in the left side of the diagram isreceived by the receiving apparatus 20 depicted in the right side of thediagram and the time information processing in accordance with localtime mode C is executed in the receiving apparatus 20.

In the sending apparatus 10 in the broadcasting station, the timeinformation conversion block 151 converts GPS time into local time bycorrecting the difference between the GPS time and the local time by useof offset information. Consequently, the local time as time informationis obtained.

Further, in the sending apparatus 10, time information metadata isgenerated. This time information metadata includes time informationmode. Here, for the time information mode, a local time mode is set.

The sending apparatus 10 sends a broadcast stream including the localtime as time information and the time information metadata to thereceiving apparatus 20 via the transmission path 30. Further, in thesending apparatus 10, the video and audio components and the ESG (thedata thereof) are processed to be included in the broadcast stream.However, in the case of local time mode B, the time zone of componentand ESG time lines is the local time.

On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus 20, the broadcast streamsent from the sending apparatus 10 via the transmission path 30 isreceived. This broadcast stream includes the local time as timeinformation, time information metadata, video and audio components, andthe ESG (the data thereof). The receiving apparatus 20 operates in localtime mode C (the local time mode) in accordance with the timeinformation mode included in the time information metadata.

Here, in the receiving apparatus 20, in the clock synchronization block251, clock synchronization is executed by use of the local time as timeinformation. Further, the clock synchronization block 251 supplies thelocal time as internal time to the presentation synchronization block252 and the time and ESG display processing block 253.

However, in this example of local time mode C, the above-mentioned clocksynchronization scheme in which the physical layer clock synchronizeswith the system clock is employed, so that the offset value is notneeded in the clock synchronization in the clock synchronization block251.

The internal clock (the local time) from the clock synchronization block251 and the component (the data thereof) in which the time zone of timeline becomes the local time are entered in the presentationsynchronization block 252.

By use of the internal time (the local time) from the clocksynchronization block 251, the presentation synchronization block 252processes the component (the data thereof) in which the time zone oftime line becomes the local time, thereby realizing presentationsynchronization. Then, the presentation synchronization block 252outputs the presentation-synchronized video and audio components (thedata thereof).

The internal time (the local time) from the clock synchronization block251 and the ESG (the data thereof) in which the time zone of time linebecomes the local time are entered in the time and ESG displayprocessing block 253.

If time display is executed, the time and ESG display processing block253 processes the internal time (the local time) from the clocksynchronization block 251, thereby displaying the time corresponding tothe local time. Further, if ESG display is executed, the time and ESGdisplay processing block 253 processes the ESG (the data thereof) inwhich the time zone of time line becomes the local time, therebydisplaying the ESG corresponding to the local time.

As described above, in the local time mode C, the sending apparatus 10transmits the time information metadata including the information forexecuting the time information processing corresponding to the localtime mode C along with the local time as time information to thereceiving apparatus 20 which then can execute the time informationprocessing in accordance with the local time mode C by use this timeinformation metadata.

It should be noted that, in FIG. 18, the clock synchronization scheme inwhich the above-proposed physical layer clock is synchronized with thesystem clock is employed so as to make the offset value unnecessary forthe clock synchronization by the clock synchronization block 251.However, if this clock synchronization scheme is not used, the offsetinformation (the offset value between the reference time (PTP, forexample) and the local time) may be included in the time informationmetadata. Then, in the receiving apparatus 20, in executing the clocksynchronization by use of local time, the clock synchronization block251 can use the offset value between the reference time (PTP, forexample) and the local time so as to execute offset value correction,thereby correcting the leap second and the summer time (DST).

(B) Correspondence Between the Leap Second and the Summer Time (DST)

(Example of the Adjustment of Time by Leap Second Correction)

FIG. 19 depicts a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment oftime by the leap second correction by use of time information metadataexecuted by the receiving apparatus 20.

As depicted in FIG. 19, the direction of time the direction from theleft side of the diagram to the right side thereof and the time seriesof the time information before and after the leap second correction areindicated in A of FIG. 19 and B of FIG. 19.

In the time series before the leap second correction depicted in A ofFIG. 19, the number in each of consecutive rectangles is indicative ofthe time corresponding to the time information such as UTC and thenumber in each of consecutive pentagons below the above-mentionedconsecutive rectangles is indicative of the offset value (unit: second)of the leap second in the time concerned. However, the offset value ofthe leap second is obtained from the offset information or thediscontinuous time information included in the time informationmetadata. Further, the leap second insertion time is identified by thestart time and the end time of the leap second included in this timeinformation metadata (the discontinuous time information).

For example, is the leap second is inserted at 23:59:59 of 6/30, then+25 seconds are set to the offset value of the leap second. That is,this denotes that the leap second has been inserted 25 times up to thispoint of time. From the time at which the leap second has been insertedor deleted up to 23:59:59 of 6/30 that is immediately before theinsertion of the leap second, +25 seconds are set to the offset value ofthe leap second.

Then, when the time in accordance with the time information is switchedfrom 23:59:59 of 6/30 to 00:00:00 of 7/1, the offset value of the leapsecond is adjusted from +25 seconds to +26 seconds in accordance withthe insertion (+1 second) of the leap second at the time in accordancewith the time information. Then, subsequent to 00:00:00 of 7/1, +26seconds after the adjustment is set to the offset value of the leapsecond.

On the other hand, the time series depicted in B of FIG. 19 isindicative of the time series after the leap second correction by use ofthe offset value of the leap second corresponding to the time seriesdepicted in A of FIG. 19. For example, in the time series depicted in Aof FIG. 19, 23:50:00 of 6/30 becomes, after the leap second correction,23:50:25 obtained by adding 25 seconds as indicated by the time seriesdepicted in B of FIG. 19 because the offset value of the leap second is+25 seconds. Subsequently, likewise, from 23:50:01 of 6/30 up to23:59:59 immediately before the leap second is inserted, the time afterthe leap second correction becomes the time with 25 seconds added inaccordance with the offset value of the leap second.

Then, when, in the time series depicted in A of FIG. 19, the time inaccordance with the time information such as UTC is switched from23:59:59 of 6/30 to 00:00:00 of 7/1, the leap second is inserted (+1second) to adjust the offset value of the leap second from +25 secondsto +26 seconds, so that, subsequently, in the time series depicted in Bof FIG. 19, the time after the leap second correction becomes the timewith 26 seconds added in accordance with the offset value of the leapsecond.

Here, if 23:59:59 of 6/30 at which the leap second is inserted isfocused, then +25 seconds are set to 23:59:59 immediately before as theoffset value of the leap second and the time after the leap secondcorrection becomes 00:00:24 of 7/1. On the other hand, +26 seconds areset to 23:59:59 immediately after the insertion of the leap second asthe offset value of the leap second and the time after the leap secondcorrection becomes 00:00:25 of 7/1.

As described above, in the leap second correction using an offset valueof the leap second, the offset values of the leap second can be added soas to make conversion to continuous times as with . . . , 00:00:25,00:00:26, . . . , even before or after the insertion of the leap second.Hence, in the case of UTC, for example, even in the time informationrequiring leap second correction, the time after leap second correctioncan be handled as a continuous time (time information), thereby enablingthe use of this time information for presentation synchronization.

Example of the Adjustment of Time by the Leap Second Correction by Useof an Internal Counter

FIG. 20 depicts a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment oftime by the leap second correction using an internal counter.

As depicted in FIG. 20, the direction of time the direction from theleft side of the diagram to the right side thereof and the time seriesof the time information before and after the leap second correction areindicated in A of FIG. 20 and B of FIG. 20.

In the time series before the leap second correction depicted in A ofFIG. 20, the number in each of consecutive rectangles is indicative ofthe time corresponding to the time information such as UTC and, belowthese consecutive rectangles, a timing chart of the leap second flags(Leap_second_flag) is indicated.

That is, Leap_second_flag[0] is indicative of a leap second occurrencetime; for example, the information that leap second adjustmentprocessing is executed can be given by setting up a bit from one daybefore (before 24 hours) the insertion (+1 second) of the leap second.Further, Leap_second_flag[1] is also indicative of the insertion or thedeletion of the leap second; in this example, “0” is set asLeap_second_flag[1] because the insertion (+1 second) of the leap secondis executed.

Here, if the leap second is inserted at 23:59:59 of 6/30, for example,Leap_second_flag[0] is switched from “0” to “1” when it becomes one daybefore (24 hours before) the leap second adjustment processing, forexample is executed. Consequently, the information that the leap secondadjustment processing is executed within 24 hours is sent to thereceiving apparatus 20. Then, this state continues until the time inaccordance with the time information such as UTC becomes 23:59:59 of6/30 and, when 23:59:59 of 6/30 is reached, Leap_second_flag[0] isswitched from “1” to “0” in accordance with the insertion of the leapsecond into the time in accordance with the time information.

Further, the consecutive pentagons below the timing chart of the leapsecond flags (Leap_second_flag) are indicative of a timing chart of theinternal counter 222A of the receiving apparatus 20 (the timeinformation processing block 222 thereof). However, in the timing chartof the internal counter 222A of the receiving apparatus 20, the numberin each of the pentagons is indicative of the value held in the internalcounter 222A. That is to say, in the internal counter 222A in thereceiving apparatus 20, the initial value thereof is “+0;” however, whenthe Leap_second_flag[0] has been switched from “1” to “0,” the countervalue is advanced by 1, subsequently “+1” being held.

On the other hand, the time series depicted in B of FIG. 20 isindicative of a time series after the second correction using the valueof the internal counter 222A of the receiving apparatus 20. For example,since, in the time series in A of FIG. 20, the value of the internalcounter 222A is +40 seconds, the time after the leap second correctionremains to be 23:50:00 of 6/30 as depicted in the time series in B ofFIG. 20. Subsequently, likewise, the value of the internal counter 222Abecomes +0 second from 23:50:01 of 6/30 up to 23:59:59 immediate beforethe insertion of the leap second, so that the time after the leap secondcorrection is the similar time to that before the correction.

Then, when the time series in accordance with the time information suchas UTC becomes 23:59:59 in the time series in A of FIG. 20, the leapsecond is inserted (+1 second) so as to count up the value of theinternal counter 222A from +0 second to +1 second, so that,subsequently, the time after the leap second correction becomes a timeobtained by adding 1 second in accordance with the value of the internalcounter 222A in the time series in B of FIG. 20.

Here, an attention is paid that 23:59:59 of 6/30 at which the leapsecond is inserted, +0 second is set to the 23:59:59 immediately beforeas the value of the internal counter 222A, the time after the leapsecond correction remaining to be 23:59:59 of 6/30. On the other hand,+1 second is set to the 23:59:59 immediately after the insertion of theleap second as the value of the internal counter 222A, the time afterthe leap second correction becoming 00:00:00 of 7/1.

As described above, in the leap second correction by use of the internalcounter 222A of the receiving apparatus 20, the values of the internalcounter 222A are added so as to make conversion like . . . , 23:59:59,00:00:00, . . . even before or after the insertion of the leap second.Hence, even with the time information for which the leap secondcorrection is necessary as with UTC, for example, the time before orafter the leap second correction can be handled as a continuous time(time information), thereby making this time information usable forpresentation synchronization.

Further, holding a value in accordance with a leap second flag(Leap_second_flag) by the internal counter 222A of the receivingapparatus 20 allows the acquisition of the similar effect as thatobtained in a case where the leap second offset described above withreference to FIG. 19 is used.

That is, in FIG. 20, if the leap second is inserted next, the value ofthe internal counter 222A is counted from +1 second up to +2 secondsbefore or after this insertion in accordance with a leap second flag.Likewise, subsequently, every time the leap second is inserted, so thatthe value of the internal counter 222A is equivalent to theabove-described offset value of the leap second. Therefore, in thereceiving apparatus 20, holding the value in accordance with the leapsecond flag by the internal counter 222A makes it unnecessary for theoffset value of the leap second to be included in the time informationmetadata.

It should be noted that the case where the leap second is inserted isdescribed in the example depicted in FIG. 20; however, it is possiblefor the leap second to be deleted (−1 second) in the case of which thevalue of the internal counter 222A of the receiving apparatus 20 is downcounted. In the deletion of the leap second, “1” is set asLeap_second_flag[1].

(Example of the Adjustment of Time by DST Correction)

FIG. 21 depicts a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment ofthe time by the DST correction by use of time information metadataexecuted by the receiving apparatus 20.

As depicted in FIG. 21, the direction of time the direction from theleft side of the diagram to the right side thereof and the time seriesof the internal time before and after the DST correction are indicatedin A of FIG. 21 and B of FIG. 21.

In the time series before DST correction in A of FIG. 21, the number ineach of consecutive rectangles is indicative of the internal time suchas local time and the number in the pentagons below the consecutiverectangles is indicative of the DST offset value (unit: hour, minute,and second) in this internal time. However, the DST offset value can beobtained from the offset information or the discontinuous timeinformation both included in the time information metadata. Further, thestart time of the summer time (DST) is identified by the date or timeincluded in this information metadata (the discontinuous timeinformation) at which the time becomes discontinuous next.

For example, if the standard time ends at 1:59:59 of 3/9 and the summertime (DST) start at 2:00:00 of 3/9, then 5:00:00 is set as the DSToffset for a period from the time at which the last summer time (DST)ended and 1:59:59 of 3/9 at which the summer time (DST) starts.

Then, when the internal time is switched from 1:59:59 of 3/9 to 2:00:00,the internal time becomes the start time of the summer time (DST) andthe internal time is switched from 1:59:59 to 3:00:00, upon which theDST offset value is adjusted from 5:00:00 to 4:00:00. Subsequent to3:00:00 of 3/9, the 4:00:00 after the adjustment is set as the DSToffset value.

On the other hand, the time series in B of FIG. 21 is indicative of thetime series after the DST correction by use of the DST offset valuecorresponding to the time series in A of FIG. 21. For example, in thetime series in A of FIG. 21, since the DST offset value is 5:00:00,1:50:00 of 3/9 becomes, after the DST correction, 6:50:00 of 3/9obtained by adding 5:00:00 as depicted with the time series in B of FIG.21. Subsequently, likewise, in the period from 1:50:01 of 3/9 to 1:59:59of 3/9 immediately before the start of the summer time (DST), the timeafter the DST correction becomes the time obtained by adding 5:00:00 inaccordance with the DST offset value.

Then, when the internal time is switched from 1:59:59 of 3/9 to 2:00:00in the time series in A of FIG. 21, the start time of the summer time(DST) starts, upon which the DST offset value is adjusted from 5:00:00to 4:00:00, so that, subsequently, the time after the DST correctionbecomes the time obtained by adding 4:00:00 in accordance with the DSToffset value in the time series in B of FIG. 21.

Here, when switching from 1:59:59 of 3/9 that is the start time of thesummer time (DST) to 3:00:00 is focused, 5:00:00 is set to 1:59:59immediately before as a DST offset value, upon which the time after theDST correction becomes 6:59:59 of 3/9. On the other hand, 4:00:00 is setto the 3:00:00 immediately after the switching to the summer time (DST)as a DST offset time, upon which the time after the DST correctionbecomes 7:00:00 of 3/9.

As described above, in the DST correction by use of a DST offset value,the offset values of the DST offset values can be added so as to makeconversion to continuous times as with . . . , 6:59:59, 7:00:00, . . . ,even before or after the insertion of the leap second. Hence, forexample, even in such regions where the summer time (DST) is practicedas the United States of America and European countries, the time afterthe DST correction can be handled as a continuous time (an internaltime), so that this internal time can be used for presentationsynchronization.

(Relation Between Internal Time and Media Time Line)

The following describes the relation between the internal time of thereceiving apparatus 20 and a media time line (the time line of acomponent) based on MPD (availabilityStartTime attribute thereof) withreference to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23. First, the relation between theinternal time and the media time line at the time of leap secondinsertion is described with reference to FIG. 22; then, the relationbetween the internal time and the media time line at the time of thestart of the summer time (DST) is described with reference to FIG. 23.

As depicted in FIG. 22, the time series of the internal time at the timeof leap second insertion and the time series of the media time line atthe time of leap second insertion are indicated in A of FIG. 22 and B ofFIG. 22, respectively.

In the time series of the internal time at the time of leap secondinsertion in A of FIG. 22, the number in each of consecutive rectanglesis indicative of a time in accordance with the internal time of UTC orthe like. In this example, the leap second is inserted (+1 second) whenthe internal time is switched from 23:59:59 of 6/30 to 00:00:00 of 7/1.

Here, in the sending apparatus 10, it is configured that the anchorinformation (namely, availabilityStartTime of MPD) described to acomponent (media) is synchronized with the time information of UTC orthe like. Hence, in the time series of the media time line in B of FIG.22, the leap second is inserted (+1 second) with the same timing as thetime series of the internal time in A of FIG. 22, thereby correctlyfollowing the mutual time series in the receiving apparatus 20.

It should be noted that in the time series of the media time line in Bof FIG. 22, the local time is used; however, in the case of differenttime zones, the time zone of the component may be corrected by use ofthe component time zone information or the time zone information bothincluded in the time information metadata.

Further, in FIG. 23, the time series of the internal time at the time ofstart of the summer time (DST) and the time series of the media timeline at the start of the summer time (DST) are indicated in A of FIG. 23and B of FIG. 23, respectively.

In the time series of the internal time at the start of the summer time(DST) in A of FIG. 23, the number in each of consecutive rectangles isindicative of the time in accordance with the internal time such as thelocal time. In this example, when the internal time is switched from1:59:59 of 3/9 to 2:00:00, the internal time becomes the start time ofthe summer time (DST), 1:59:59 being switched to 3:00:00.

Here, in the sending apparatus 10, it is configured that the anchorinformation (namely, availabilityStartTime of MPD) described to acomponent (media) is synchronized with the time information such as thelocal time or the like. Hence, in the time series of the media time linein B of FIG. 23, the summer time (DST) starts with the same timing asthe time series of the internal time in A depicted of FIG. 23, therebycorrectly following the mutual time series in the receiving apparatus20.

It should be noted that, in B of in FIG. 23, an example of the timeseries of a media time line (the time line of a component) is depicted;however, the time line of ESG is processed by the sending apparatus 10of a broadcasting station, so that the ESG can be synchronized fordisplay by the similar processing to that of a component (media)described above in the receiving apparatus 20.

(C) Example of Syntax

(Syntax of Time Information Metadata)

FIG. 24 depicts a diagram illustrating an example of the syntax of timeinformation metadata.

A 3-bit time mode is a time information mode specified for each formatof time information (a time format). For example, if “0” is set for thistime mode, then the time information mode is the UTC mode. If “1” is setfor time mode, for example, the PTP mode is provided; if “2” is set fortime mode, the local time mode is provided.

A 5-bit timezone is time zone information. For this time zoneinformation, the information (+/−12 for UtC) represented by the standardtime of that region by a difference with UTC.

A 16-bit timeOffset is offset information. For this offset information,an offset value between a standard time and a discontinuous time isincluded. For the standard time, a time specified by the standard, suchas a time specified by PTP, for example, is used.

For example, if the time information mode is the UTC mode, then theintegrated value of the leap second is set as the offset value betweenthe standard time (PTP, for example) and UTC. Further, if the timeinformation mode is a PTP mode, for example, a value (a PTP-UTC offsetvalue) for converting PTP to UTC is set for an offset value betweenstandard time (PTP, for example) and the discontinuous time (UTC, forexample).

Still further, if the time information mode is the local time, forexample, a value (a value including both the leap second and the summertime (DST)) obtained by adding the integrated value of the leap secondand the variation of the summer time (DST) together is set to the offsetvalue between the standard time (PTP, for example) and the local time.

An 8-bit nextTimeJumpday, an 8-bit nextTimeJumphour, a 16-bittimeJumpValue, and a 3-bit timeJumpType are discontinuous timeinformation.

A date on which the time becomes discontinuous next is set tonextTimeJumpday. An hour at which the time becomes discontinuous next isset to nextJumphour. A variation of the time that becomes discontinuousnext is set to timeJumpValue.

A type of the time at which the time becomes discontinuous text is setto timeJumpType. For example, if “0” is set for this timeJumpType, thetype of time at which the time becomes discontinuous next is the leapsecond and the information associated with the leap second is includedin the discontinuous time information. Further, if “1” is set fortimeJumpType, the type of the time at which the time becomesdiscontinuous next is the summer time (DST) and the informationassociated with the summer time (DST) is included in the discontinuoustime information.

A 5-bit media timezone is component timezone information. A 5-bit esgtimezone is ESG time zone information. It should be noted that a 3-bitreserved is an undefined area.

It should be noted that the syntax of the time information metadatadepicted in FIG. 24 is illustrative only; therefore, new information maybe added to or a part of information may be deleted from this timeinformation metadata. For example, as described above with reference toFIG. 20, if a leap second occurrence time or the like is notified with aleap second flag (Leap_second_flag), a leap second_flag may be added tothe time information metadata instead of the discontinuous timeinformation or the offset information.

To be more specific, in this case, Leap_second_flag[0] indicative of atime at which the leap second occurs and Leap_second_flag[1] indicativeof the insertion or the deletion of the leap second are added. It shouldbe noted that, for example, if “0” is set as Leap_second_flag[1], it mayindicate that the leap second is inserted (+1 second); if “1” is set asLeap_second_flag[1], it may indicate that the leap second is deleted (−1second).

It should be noted that, in FIG. 24, in the bit train representation(Mnemonic), “uimsbf” is the abbreviation of “unsigned integer mostsignificant bit first” denoting that the result of bit computation ishandled as an integer. Further, “bslbf” is the abbreviation of “bitstring, left bit first” denoting this is handled as a bit string. Stillfurther, “tcimsbf” is the abbreviation of “two's complement integer,most significant first.”

<3. Transmission Scheme of Time Information Metadata>

(Over View of the Transmission Scheme of Time Information Metadata)

FIG. 25 depicts a diagram illustrating an overview of the transmissionscheme of time information metadata.

The time information metadata can be transmitted by use of any one ofthe following six transmission schemes (A) through (F).

(A) Descriptor transmission scheme

(B) ALP additional header transmission scheme

(C) L2 signaling header transmission scheme

(D) L2 signaling transmission scheme

(E) BBP additional header transmission scheme

(F) L1 signaling transmission scheme

Meanwhile, in ATSC3.0, it is determined mainly to employ I/UDP, namely,the scheme (hereafter referred to as IP transmission scheme) that usesIP (Internet Protocol) packets including, namely UDP (User DatagramProtocol) packets, rather than TS (Transport System) packets. Further,with broadcasting standards other than ATSC3.0, the employment of IPtransmission scheme is expected in the future.

In ATSC3.0, the use of ROUTE (Real-Time Object Delivery overUnidirectional Transport) is assumed for a transport protocol.

Here, ROUTE is a protocol that is an extension of FLUTE (File Deliveryover Unidirectional Transport) that is suited for the multi-casttransfer of binary files in one direction. Use of this ROUTE sessionallows the transmission of video and audio components and signaling.

Further, in ATSC3.0, the use of the LLS (Link Layer Signaling) signalingand the SLS (Service Layer Signaling) signaling is assumed forsignaling. The LLS signaling is a signaling that is obtained before theSLS signaling and the SLS signaling is obtained in accordance with theinformation included in LLS signaling.

This LLS signaling includes such metadata as SLT (Service List Table)and EAT (Emergency Alerting Table), RRT (Region Rating Table), forexample.

The SLT metadata includes the information indicative of configurationsof a stream and a service in a broadcasting network, such as theinformation (selection information) necessary for selecting services.The EAT metadata includes the information related with the emergencyinformation that is the information to be alerted in emergency. The RRTmetadata includes the information related with rating. ESG (ElectronicService Guide) is an electronic program table.

Further, the SLS signaling includes metadata such as USBD (User ServiceBundle Description) or USD (User Service Description), S-TSID(Service-based Transport Session Instance Description), and MPD (MediaPresentation Description) for each service, for example.

The USBD or USD metadata includes the information such as thedestinations of acquisition of other metadata. The S-TSID metadata is anextension of LSID (LCT Session Instance Description) to ATSC3.0 andprovides the control information of the ROUTE protocol. The MPD metadatais the control information for managing the reproduction of a componentstream.

It should be noted that the metadata such as USBD, USD, S-TSID, and MPDare described with a markup language such as XML (Extensible MarkupLanguage) or the like. Further, the MPD metadata is compliant with thestandard of MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP).

Here, as depicted in FIG. 26, in a protocol stack of the IP transmissionscheme, the layer 1 (L1) that is a physical layer, the layer 2 (L2) thatis an upper layer of the layer 1, and the layer 3 (L3) that is an upperlayer of the layer 2 are structured in a hierarchical manner.

An IP packet is configured by an IP header (IP Header) and a payload(Payload). In the payload of each IP packet, the data of video and audiocomponents and the data of signaling such as the SLS signaling arearranged. Here, if the descriptor transmission scheme is used, the timeinformation metadata as a descriptor is arranged in the payload of an IPpacket, for example.

In the layer 2 (L2), an ALP packet (ALP (ATSC Link-layer Protocol)Packet) is transmitted as a transmission packet. The ALP packet isconfigured by an ALP header (ALP Header) and a payload (Payload). In thepayload of the ALP packet, one or more IP packets or selectioninformation is arranged to be encapsulated (encapsulation).

Here, if the ALP additional header transmission scheme is used the timeinformation metadata is arranged in the additional header of this ALPpacket. If the L2 signaling header transmission scheme is used, the timeinformation metadata is arranged in the header of the L2 signaling thatis arranged in the payload of the ALP packet. Further, if the L2signaling transmission scheme is used, the time information metadata asthe L2 signaling is arranged in the payload of the ALP packet.

In the layer 1 (L1), BBP (Baseband Packet) as a transmission packet istransmitted. The BBP is configured by a BBP header (Baseband PacketHeader) and a payload (Payload). In the payload of BBP, one or more ALPpackets are arranged to be encapsulated. Here, if the BBP additionalheader transmission scheme is used, the time information metadata isarranged in this BBP additional header.

Further, in the layer 1, the data (Data) obtained by scrambling one ormore BBPs is mapped onto an FEC frame (FEC Frame) to which an errorcorrection parity (Parity) in the physical layer is added.

Here, the physical layer frame (Physical Frame) of the layer 1 (L1) isconfigured by a preamble (Preamble) and a data part (Data). Further,onto the data part of the physical layer frame, the data that isobtained by executing the processing (modulation processing) of thephysical layer such as bit-interleaving two or more FEC frames and theninterleaving in the time direction and the frequency direction ismapped.

Here, if the L1 signaling transmission scheme is used, the timeinformation metadata as the L1 signaling is arranged in the bootstrap orthe preamble of the physical layer frame. It should be noted that theframe length of the physical layer frame is 100 to 200 ms, for example.

In what follows detail contents of the six transmission schemes (A)through (F) depicted in FIG. 25 will be described.

(A) Descriptor Transmission Scheme

First, the description transmission scheme is described with referenceto FIG. 27. In this description transmission scheme, the timeinformation metadata (time_info) as a descriptor is transmitted by theIP packet including a UDP packet as with the LLS signaling, for example.

In the time information metadata (the descriptor) depicted in FIG. 27,an 8-bit time_info_id, a 3-bit time_mode, a 5-bit timezone, a 16-bittimeOffset, an 8-bit nextTimeJumpday, an 8-bit nextTimeJumphour, a16-bit timeJumpValue, a 3-bit timeJumpType, a 5-bit media_timezone, anda 5-bit esg_timezone.

To the 8-bit time_info_id, the ID indicative of the type of thisdescriptor is set. It should be noted that the information other thantime_info_id is similar to the information included in the timeinformation metadata depicted in FIG. 24, so that the descriptionthereof is skipped here.

As described above, by use of the descriptor transmission scheme for thetransmission format for transmitting the time information metadata so asto transmit the descriptor including the time information metadata by IPpackets, the time information metadata (the descriptor) included in theIP packets is extracted in the receiving apparatus 20 (FIG. 1), so that,on the basis of this time information metadata, the time informationprocessing in accordance with the time information mode can be executed.

(B) ALP Additional Header Transmission Scheme

Next, the ALP additional header transmission scheme is described withreference to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29. In this ALP additional headertransmission scheme, time information metadata is transmitted by use ofthe ALP additional header.

FIG. 28 depicts a diagram illustrating the configuration of the ALPpacket. In the ALP packet depicted in FIG. 28, 3-bit type information(Type) is set to the beginning of the ALP header. To this typeinformation, the information related with the type of the data that isarranged in the payload of the ALP packet is set.

In the ALP header, the type information is followed by 1-bit packetsetting information (PC: Packet Configuration) is arranged. If “0” isset for the packet setting information, the single packet mode (Singlepacket mode) is provided in accordance with the 1-bit header mode (HM:Header Mode) arranged next, 11-bit length information (Length) and theadditional header (Additional header) being arranged in the ALP header.Further, in the ALP packet, the payload is arranged next to the ALPheader.

It should be noted that, in the single packet mode, the ALP packet inwhich the additional header is not arranged is referred to a normalpacket (normal packet), while the ALP packet in the additional header isarranged is referred to as a long packet (long packet).

On the other hand, if “1” is set as the packet setting information (PC),then the segmentation mode (Segmentation mode) or the concatenation mode(Concatenation mode) is provided in accordance with 1-bit S/C(Segmentation/Concatenation) that is arranged next, the 11-bit lengthinformation (Length) and the additional header (Additional header) beingarranged in the ALP header.

Here, in the ALP additional header transmission scheme, the timeinformation metadata is arranged in the additional header (Additionalheader) enclosed by frame A depicted in the diagram. That is, in thecase of the single packet mode (the long packet) and the segmentationmode, if “1” is set as an optional additional header flag (OHF: OptionalHeader Extension Flag) in the additional header, an optional header(Optional Header) is arranged. In the case of the concatenation mode, if“1” is set as a sub-stream identifier flag (SIF: Sub-stream IdentifierFlag) in the additional header, the optional header is arranged.

In this optional header, a structural body depicted in FIG. 29 can bearranged. In the structural body depicted in FIG. 29, various kinds ofinformation is arranged for each of the additional header indexinformation (Additional header Index). For example, if “000000” is setas the additional header index information, then the arrangement of thetime information metadata (time_info) in the optional header can bedefined. Here, the time information metadata indicated in FIG. 24 can bearranged.

As described above, by transmitting the time information metadata asarranged in the additional header of an ALP packet by use of the ALPadditional header transmission scheme as the transmission format fortransmitting the time information metadata, the time informationmetadata arranged in the additional header of the ALP packet isextracted in the receiving apparatus 20 (FIG. 1), so that the timeinformation processing in accordance with the time information mode canbe executed on the basis of this time information metadata.

(C) L2 Signaling Header Transmission Scheme

The following describes the L2 signaling header transmission scheme withreference to FIG. 30 and FIG. 31. In this L2 signaling headertransmission scheme, the time information metadata is transmitted by useof the header of the L2 signaling.

FIG. 30 depicts a diagram illustrating a configuration of an LLS (LinkLayer Signaling) packet as an ALP packet of layer 2.

As depicted in FIG. 30, IP packets and L2 signaling are arranged in thepayload of an ALP packet; however, in this example, the case in whichthe LLS signaling is arranged for the L2 signaling is depicted. The LLSsignaling is the signaling that is obtained prior to the SLS signaling.For this LLS signaling, the metadata such as SLT, EAT, and PRT areincluded.

Here, if the LLS signaling is arranged in the payload of an ALP packet,then this ALP packet may also be said to be an LLS packet (LLS Packet).This LLS packet is configured by an LLS header (LLS Header) and apayload in which the LLS signaling (LLS) is arranged. In addition, inthis case, one or more LLS packets are arranged in the payload of BBP tobe encapsulated.

A structural body including of LLS index information (LLS Index) andobject version information (Object Version) can be arranged in the LLSheader.

In the LLS index information, compression information (CompressionScheme), type information (Fragment Type), and extension typeinformation (Type Extension) are arranged. To the compressioninformation, the information indicative of compression ornon-compression of the target LLS signaling is set. For example, if“0000” is set, it indicates non-compression; if “0001” is set, itindicates that the compression is done in zip format.

To the type information (Fragment Type), the information associated withthe type of LLS signaling is set. For example, “000000” can be set toSLT, “000001” to EAT, and “000010” to RRT. To the extension typeinformation, an extension parameter for each type is set. Further, inthe object version information, the information associated with theversion of an object is arranged.

Moreover, the structural body to be arranged in the LLS header caninclude the time information metadata (time info) in addition to the LLSindex information and the object version information as depicted in FIG.31. Here, the time information metadata indicated in FIG. 24 can bearranged.

As described above, by transmitting the time information metadata asarranged in the header of L2 signaling by use of the L2 signaling headertransmission scheme as the transmission format for transmitting the timeinformation metadata, the time information metadata arranged in theheader of L2 signaling is extracted in the receiving apparatus 20 (FIG.1), so that the time information processing in accordance with the timeinformation mode can be executed on the basis of this time informationmetadata.

(D) L2 Signaling Transmission Scheme

The following describes the L2 signaling transmission scheme withreference to FIG. 32. In this L2 signaling transmission scheme, the timeinformation metadata is transmitted by use of the main body of the L2signaling that is arranged in the payload of an ALP packet.

The time information metadata (the L2 signaling) depicted in FIG. 32includes an 8-bit time_info_id, a 3-bit time_mode, a 5-bit timezone, a16-bit timeOffset, an 8-bit nextTimeJumpday, an 8-bit nextTimeJumphour,a 16-bit timeJumpValue, a 3-bit timeJumpType, a 5-bit media_timezone,and a 5-bit esg_timezone.

It should be noted that the information included in the time informationmetadata depicted in FIG. 32 is similar to the information included inthe time information metadata depicted in FIG. 24 or FIG. 27, so thatthe description thereof is skipped.

Further, here, the time information metadata itself depicted in FIG. 32may be arranged as L2 signaling into the payload of an ALP packet or thetime information metadata depicted in FIG. 32 may be included in the L2signaling (the LLS signaling, for example) arranged in the payload of anALP packet.

As described above, by transmitting the time information metadata asarranged in the main body of L2 signaling by use of the L2 signalingtransmission scheme as the transmission format for transmitting the timeinformation metadata, the time information metadata arranged in the mainbody of L2 signaling is extracted in the receiving apparatus 20 (FIG.1), so that the time information processing in accordance with the timeinformation mode can be executed on the basis of this time informationmetadata.

(E) BBP Additional Header Transmission Scheme

The following describes the BBP additional header scheme with referenceto FIG. 33 through FIG. 36. In this BBP additional header transmissionscheme, the time information metadata is transmitted by use of the BBPadditional header.

FIG. 33 depicts a diagram illustrating a configuration of BBP (BasebandPacket). In FIG. 33, BBP is configured by a BBP header and a payload(Payload). In the BBP header, an optional field (Optional Field) and anextension field (Extension Field) can be arranged in addition to a1-byte or 2-byte header (Header).

That is, if “0” is set for the 1-bit mode (MODE) in the header (Header),then 7-bit pointer information (Pointer (LSB)) is arranged. It should benoted that the pointer information is information indicative of theposition of the ALP packet that is arranged in the payload of BBP. Forexample, if the data of an ALP packet arranged last in a certain BBP isarranged over to a next BBP, then the positional information of an ALPpacket arranged at the beginning of the next BBP can be set as thepointer information.

If “1” is set as the mode (MODE), then 7-bit pointer information(Pointer (LSB)), 6-bit pointer information (Pointer (MSB)), and a 2-bitoptional flag (OPTI: OPTIONAL) are arranged. The optional flag providesinformation indicative whether or not to extend the header by arrangingthe optional field (Optional Field) and the extension field (ExtensionField).

That is, if the extension of the optional field and the extension fieldis not done as depicted in FIG. 34, “00” is set to the optional flag. Ifonly the extension of the optional field is done, “01” or “10” is set tothe optional flag. It should be noted that, if “01” is set for theoptional flag, then 1-byte (8 bits) stuffing is done on the optionalfield. If “10” is set for the optional flag, then 2-byte (16 bits)stuffing is done on the optional field.

Further, if the extension of the optional field and the extension fieldis executed, “11” is set to the optional flag. In this case, 3-bitextension type information (TYPE (EXT_TYPE)) is set to the beginning ofthe optional field. This type information provides extension lengthinformation (EXT_Length (LSB)) and the extension field type (Extensiontype) that are arranged next to the extension type information asdepicted in FIG. 35.

That is, if the extension length information is arranged and onlystuffing bytes (Stuffing Bytes) are arranged, “000” is set to theextension type information. Further, if the extension length informationis not arranged and ISSY (Input Stream Synchronization) is arranged,“001” is set to the extension type information. Still further, if theextension length information is arranged and stuffing bytes are arrangedin the extension field along with ISSY, then “010” is set to theextension type information.

In addition, if the extension length information is arranged and L1signaling is arranged in the extension field, then “011” is set to theextension type information. In this case, the arrangement of stuffingbyes can be done as desired. It should be noted that, in FIG. 35, theextension type information “100” through “111” are left undefined(Reserved).

Then, in the L1 additional header transmission scheme, the timeinformation metadata is arranged as the L1 signaling of this extensionfield (the BBP additional header). That is, if the BBP additional headertransmission scheme is used, “11” is set to the optional flag (OPTI) soas to extend the optional field and the extension field; in addition,“011” is set to the extension type information (EXT TYPE) of theoptional field, thereby arranging the L1 signaling including the timeinformation metadata into the extension field.

The structural body depicted in FIG. 36 can be arranged in the extensionfield. In the structural body depicted in FIG. 36, various kinds ofinformation are arranged for each piece of additional header indexinformation (BBP Additional header Index). If “000000” is set for theadditional header index information, then the arrangement of the timeinformation metadata (time_info) in the extension field can be defined.The time information metadata depicted in FIG. 24 can be arranged here.

As described above, by transmitting the time information metadata asarranged in the BBP additional header by use of the BBP additionalheader transmission scheme as the transmission format for transmittingthe time information metadata, the time information metadata arranged inthe BBP additional header is extracted in the receiving apparatus 20(FIG. 1), so that the time information processing in accordance with thetime information mode can be executed on the basis of this timeinformation metadata.

(F) L1 Signaling Transmission Scheme

Lastly, the L1 signaling transmission scheme is described with referenceto FIG. 37. In this L1 signaling transmission scheme, the timeinformation metadata is transmitted by use of the main body of L1signaling.

As depicted in FIG. 37, the physical layer frame is configured by abootstrap (BS: Bootstrap) and a preamble (Preamble), a data part (Data).

Here, in the L1 signaling transmission scheme, the time informationmetadata as L1 signaling is arranged in the bootstrap or the preambleenclosed by frame A depicted in the diagram. The time informationmetadata indicated in FIG. 24 can be arranged here.

It should be noted here that the time information metadata itselfdepicted in FIG. 24 may be arranged in the bootstrap or the preamble ofthe physical layer frame or the time information metadata depicted inFIG. 24 may be included in the L1 signaling (L1-post signaling) arrangedin the bootstrap or the preamble.

As described above, by transmitting the time information metadata asarranged in the main body of L1 signaling by use of the L1 signalingtransmission scheme as the transmission format for transmitting the timeinformation metadata, the time information metadata arranged in the mainbody of L1 signaling is extracted in the receiving apparatus 20 (FIG.1), so that the time information processing in accordance with the timeinformation mode can be executed on the basis of this time informationmetadata.

<4. Flows of Processing to be Executed in Each Apparatus>

The following describes the flows of the data processing operations thatare executed in the sending apparatus 10 and the receiving apparatus 20configuring the transmission system 1 depicted in FIG. 1 with referenceto the flowcharts of FIG. 38 and FIG. 39.

(The Data Processing on the Sending Side)

First, with reference to the flowchart depicted in FIG. 38, the flow ofthe data processing to be executed on the sending side by the sendingapparatus 10 depicted in FIG. 1 will be described.

In step S101, the data processing is executed by the blocks; thecomponent processing block 111 through the packet processing block 114.

In this data processing, the data of components is processed by thecomponent processing block 111. Further, the data of an ESG is processedby the ESG processing block 112. Still further, in the processing block113, the processing for the data of the signaling by the signalingprocessing block 121 and the processing (the processing on the sendingside depicted in FIG. 12 through FIG. 18, for example) for the timeinformation or the time information metadata by the time informationprocessing block 122 are executed. Then, the processed data is stored inpackets by the packet processing block 114.

In step S102, the modulation processing block 115 executes modulationprocessing on the data processed in step S101.

In step S103, the sending block 116 sends a signal obtained by theprocessing executed in step S102 as a digital broadcast signal via theantenna 131.

The flow of the data processing on the sending side is as describedabove.

(The Data Processing on the Receiving Side)

Next, as referenced in the flowchart of FIG. 39, the data processing tobe executed on the receiving side by the receiving apparatus 20 in FIG.1 will be described.

In step S201, the receiving block 211 receives the digital broadcastsignal sent from the sending apparatus 10 via the antenna 231.

In step S202, the demodulation processing block 212 executes thedemodulation processing on the signal processed in step S201.

In step S203, the data processed in step S202 is processed by theprocessing block 213 through the ESG processing block 216.

In this data processing, the packets are processed by the packetprocessing block 214. Further, in the processing block 213, theprocessing for the data of the signaling by the signaling processingblock 221 and the processing (the processing on the receiving sidedepicted in FIG. 12 through FIG. 18, for example) for the timeinformation or the time information metadata by the time informationprocessing block 222 are executed. Still further, the data of componentsis processed by the component processing block 215 and the data of theESG is processed by the ESG processing block 216.

The flow of the data processing on the receiving side is as describedabove.

<5. Variations>

In the description done above, ATSC (especially, ATSC3.0) that isemployed in the United States of America and other countries has beendescribed as a standard of digital broadcasting; however, it is alsopracticable for the present technology to be applied to ISDB (IntegratedServices Digital Broadcasting) employed by Japan and other countries andDVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) employed by European countries. Inaddition, in the description done above, ATSC3.0 in which the IPtransmission scheme is employed has been described, for example;however, other schemes such as the MPEG2-TS (Transport Stream) schemeare applicable in addition to the IP transmission scheme.

In such a case, for digital broadcasting, the present technology isapplicable to the satellite broadcasting such as BS (BroadcastingSatellite) in addition to terrestrial broadcasting and CS(Communications Satellite) and wired broadcasting such as cabletelevision (CATV).

It should be noted that the above-mentioned terms such as “signaling”and “packet” are illustrative only; namely, these terms may be expressedby other names. However, the difference in the nomenclature is offormality only; namely, the substantial contents of the target signalingor packet do not depend on the nomenclature. For example, BBP (BasebandPacket) may be referred to as BBS (Baseband Stream). In addition, ESG(Electronic Service Guide) may be referred to as EPG (Electronic ProgramGuide). It should be noted that the content mentioned above may includeelectronic books, games, and advertisements and all other content inaddition to moving images and music.

Further, in the description done above, time information has been mainlydescribed with the information of time specified by UTC, PTP, and localtime; however, any given time information such as the information oftime specified by NTP (Network Time Protocol) and 3GPP (Third GenerationPartnership Project), the information of time included in GPS (GlobalPositioning System) information, and the information of time havinguniquely determined formats may also be used.

Still further, the present technology is also applicable topredetermined standards (standards other than broadcasting standards)specified on the assumption of the use of transmission paths other thanbroadcasting networks as transmission paths, namely, such communicationlines (communication networks) as the Internet and telephone networks.In that case, for the transmission path 30 of the transmission system 1(FIG. 1), such communication lines as the Internet and telephonenetworks are used, thereby making the sending apparatus 10 be a serverinstalled on the Internet. Then, by making the receiving apparatus 20have communication capabilities, the sending apparatus 10 executes theprocessing on demand from the receiving apparatus 20. Also, thereceiving apparatus 20 processes the data sent from the sendingapparatus 10 (the server) via the transmission path 30 (thecommunication line).

<6. Computer Configuration>

The above-mentioned sequence of processing operations can be executed byhardware or software. In the execution of the sequence of processingoperations by software, the programs constituting that software areinstalled on a computer. FIG. 40 illustrates one example of the hardwareof a computer for executing the above-mentioned sequence of processingoperations by programs.

In a computer 900, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 902, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903 are interconnected bya bus 904. The bus 904 is further connected with an input/outputinterface 905. The input/output interface 905 is connected with an inputblock 906, an output block 907, a recording block 908, a communicationblock 909, and a drive 910.

The input block 906 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and soon. The output block 907 includes a display, a speaker, and so on. Therecording block 908 includes a hard disk drive, a nonvolatile memory,and so on. The communication block 909 includes a network interface andso on. The drive 910 drives a removable medium 911 such as a magneticdisc, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, or a semiconductormemory.

With the computer 900 configured as described above, the CPU 901 loadsprograms from the ROM 902 and the recording block 908 into the RAM 903via the input/output interface 905 and the bus 904, and executes theloaded programs so as to execute the above-mentioned sequence ofprocessing operations.

Programs to be executed by the computer 900 (the CPU 901) may beprovided as recorded to the removable medium 911 that is package mediaor the like. In addition, programs may be provided through wired orwireless transmission media, such as a local area network, the Internet,or digital satellite broadcasting.

With the computer 900, programs can be installed in the storage block908 via the input/output interface 905 by loading the removable medium911 on the drive 910. In addition, programs can be installed in therecording block 908 by receiving the programs in the communication block909 via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Otherwise, programs canbe installed in the ROM 902 or the recording block 908 in advance.

In the present description, the processing operations that the computerexecutes under the control of programs need not always be executed alongthe sequence described in the flowcharts. That is, the processingoperations that the computer executes under the control of programs alsoinclude the processing operations (parallel processing or processing byobject, for example) that are executed in parallel or discretely. Inaddition, each program may be processed by one unit computer (processor)or two or more units of computers in a distributed manner.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedusing specific terms, such description is for illustrative purpose only,and it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that changes andvariations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thefollowing claims.

Further, the present technology can also take the followingconfiguration.

(1)

A receiving apparatus including:

a receiving block configured to receive metadata including informationfor executing processing related with time information in accordancewith a mode corresponding to a plurality of pieces of information, and

a processing block configured to execute processing related with thetime information on the basis of the metadata.

(2)

The receiving apparatus according (1) above, in which

the metadata includes information for correcting discontinuous timeinformation to continuous time information in accordance with the mode,and

the processing block corrects discontinuous time information tocontinuous time information on the basis of the metadata.

(3)

The receiving apparatus according to (2) above, in which

the metadata includes an offset value between a reference time providinga reference and a discontinuous time that is discontinuous in accordancewith the mode.

(4)

The receiving apparatus according to (3) above, in which

the metadata includes a date and time at which a time becomesdiscontinuous next and a variation of a time that becomes discontinuousnext in accordance with the mode.

(5)

The receiving apparatus according ay one of (2) through (4) above, inwhich

the discontinuous time information is one of leap second and summer time(DST: Daylight Saving Time) and

the plurality of pieces of time information includes at least one of UTC(Coordinated Universal Time), PTP (Precision Time Protocol), and localtime.

(6)

The receiving apparatus according to (5) above, in which

if the mode is a mode corresponding to UTC, then the offset value is anoffset value between reference time and UTC, representing an integratedvalue of leap second, and

the processing block corrects leap second in accordance with the offsetvalue.

(7)

The receiving apparatus according to (5) or (6) above, in which

if the mode is a mode corresponding to PTP, then the offset value is anoffset value for converting PTP to UTC, and

the processing block converts PTP to UTC in accordance with the offsetvalue.

(8)

The receiving apparatus according to (5) through (7) above, in which

if the mode is a mode corresponding to local time, then the offset valueis an offset value between reference time and local time, representing avalue obtained by adding an integrated value of leap second and avariation of summer time (DST) together, and

the processing block corrects leap second and summer time (DST) inaccordance with the offset value.

(9)

The receiving apparatus according to (1) through (8) above, in which

the metadata includes time zone information of one of a component and anelectronic program table and

the processing block corrects a time zone of one of the component andthe electronic program table in accordance with the time zoneinformation of one of the component and the electronic time table.

(10)

The receiving apparatus according to (1) through (9) above, in which

a broadcast stream including the metadata is a broadcast streamcorresponding to IP (Internet Protocol) transmission scheme, and

the metadata is attached to one of a descriptor included in an IP packetincluding a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packet, an additional header ofa first transmission packet for transmitting the IP packet, anadditional header of a second transmission packet for transmitting thefirst transmission packet, a signaling included in the firsttransmission packet, a header of the signaling, and a physical layerframe.

(11)

A data processing method of a receiving apparatus, by the receivingapparatus, including the steps of:

receiving metadata including information for executing processingrelated with time information in accordance with a mode corresponding toa plurality of pieces of information; and

executing processing related with the time information on the basis ofthe metadata.

(12)

A sending apparatus including:

a generation block configured to generate metadata including informationfor executing processing related with time information in accordancewith a mode corresponding to a plurality of pieces of time information;and

a sending block configured to send the metadata.

(13)

The sending apparatus according to (12) above, in which

the metadata includes information for correcting discontinuous timeinformation to continuous time information in accordance with the mode.

(14)

The sending apparatus according to (13) above, in which

the metadata includes an offset value between a reference time providinga reference and a discontinuous time that is discontinuous in accordancewith the mode.

(15)

The sending apparatus according to (13) or (14) above, in which

the discontinuous time information is one of leap second and summer time(DST), and

the plurality of pieces of time information includes at least one ofUTC, PTP, and local time.

(16)

The sending apparatus according to (15) above, in which

if the mode is a mode corresponding to UTC, then the offset value is anoffset value between reference time and UTC, representing an integratedvalue of leap second,

if the mode is a mode corresponding to PTP, then the offset value is anoffset value for converting PTP to UTC, and

if the mode is a mode corresponding to local time, then the offset valueis an offset value between reference time and local time, representing avalue obtained by adding an integrated value of leap second and avariation of summer time (DST) together.

(17)

The sending apparatus according to (12) through (16) above, in which

a broadcast stream including the metadata is a broadcast streamcorresponding to IP transmission scheme, and

the metadata is attached to one of a descriptor included in an IP packetincluding a UDP packet, an additional header of a first transmissionpacket for transmitting the IP packet, an additional header of a secondtransmission packet for transmitting the first transmission packet, asignaling included in the first transmission packet, a header of thesignaling, and a physical layer frame.

(18)

A data processing method of a sending apparatus, by the sendingapparatus, including the steps of:

generating metadata including information for executing processingrelated with time information in accordance with a mode corresponding toa plurality of pieces of time information; and

sending the metadata.

(19)

A receiving apparatus including:

a receiving block configured to receive metadata including informationfor executing processing related with time information in accordancewith a mode corresponding to a plurality of pieces of time information,the metadata including a flag indicative of one of insertion anddeletion of leap second;

a counter configured to count a value in accordance with the flag; and

a processing block configured to correct leap second of the timeinformation in accordance with a value of the counter.

(20)

A data processing method of a receiving apparatus having a counter, bythe receiving apparatus, including:

receiving metadata including information for executing processingrelated with time information in accordance with a mode corresponding toa plurality of pieces of time information, the metadata including a flagindicative of one of insertion and deletion of leap second;

counting, by the counter, a value in accordance with the flag; and

correcting leap second of the time information in accordance with avalue of the counter.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 Transmission system, 10 Sending apparatus, 20 Receiving apparatus, 30Transmission path, 111 Component processing block, 112 ESG processingblock, 113 Processing block, 114 Packet processing block, 115 Modulationprocessing block, 116 Sending block, 121 Signaling processing block, 122Time information processing block, 151 Time information conversionblock, 211 Receiving block, 212 Demodulation processing block, 213Processing block, 214 Packet processing block, 215 Component processingblock, 216 ESG processing block, 217 Output block, 221 Signalingprocessing block, 222 Time information processing block, 222A Internalcounter, 251 Clock synchronization block, 252 Presentationsynchronization block, 253 Time and ESG display processing block, 254Component time zone correction block, 255 ESG time zone correctionblock, 900 Computer, 901 CPU

1. (canceled)
 2. A receiving apparatus comprising: circuitry configuredto: receive reference time information and metadata includinginformation for executing processing related to the reference timeinformation; and execute processing related to the reference timeinformation based on the metadata, wherein the metadata includes: afirst offset value between the reference time information and adiscontinuous time, a second offset value between the discontinuous timeand a local time, and a date and time at which a change in a daylightsavings time (DST) status is to occur, and wherein the local time isdetermined based on the reference time information and the metadata. 3.The receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the discontinuoustime includes UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), and the reference timeinformation includes PTP (Precision Time Protocol) time information. 4.The receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the metadataincludes leap second information, and the leap second information isused in determining the UTC.
 5. The receiving apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the leap second information indicates whether a leapsecond is to be inserted into or deleted from the UTC.
 6. The receivingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second offset valueindicates a difference in time between the UTC and a time zone.
 7. Thereceiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the metadata includestime zone information of at least one of a component or an electronicprogram table, and the circuitry corrects a time zone of the at leastone of the component or the electronic program table in accordance withthe time zone information of the at least one of the component or theelectronic program table.
 8. The receiving apparatus according to claim2, wherein: a broadcast stream including the metadata is a broadcaststream corresponding to an IP (Internet Protocol) transmission scheme,and the metadata is attached to one of a descriptor included in anpacket including a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packet, an additionalheader of a first transmission packet for transmitting the IP packet, anadditional header of a second transmission packet for transmitting thefirst transmission packet, a signaling included in the firsttransmission packet, a header of the signaling, and a physical layerframe.
 9. A method of a receiving apparatus, the method comprising:receiving reference time information and metadata including informationfor executing processing related to the reference time information; andexecuting processing related to the reference time information based onthe metadata, wherein the metadata includes: a first offset valuebetween the reference time information and a discontinuous time, asecond offset value between the discontinuous time and a local time, anda date and time at which a change in a daylight savings time (DST)status is to occur, and wherein the local time is determined based onthe reference time information and the metadata.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein: the discontinuous time includes UTC(Coordinated Universal Time), and the reference time informationincludes PIP (Precision Time Protocol) time information.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein: the metadata includes leap secondinformation, and the leap second information is used in determining theUTC.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the leap secondinformation indicates whether a leap second is to be inserted into ordeleted from the UTC.
 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein thesecond offset value indicates a difference in time between the UTC and atime zone.
 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein: the metadataincludes time zone information of at least one of a component or anelectronic program table, and a time zone of the at least one of thecomponent or the electronic program table is corrected in accordancewith the time zone information of the at least one of the component orthe electronic program table.
 15. The method according to claim 9,wherein: a broadcast stream including the metadata is a broadcast streamcorresponding to an IP (Internet Protocol) transmission scheme, and themetadata is attached to one of a descriptor included in an IP packetincluding a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packet, an additional header ofa first transmission packet for transmitting the IP packet, anadditional header of a second transmission packet for transmitting thefirst transmission packet, a signaling included in the firsttransmission packet, a header of the signaling, and a physical layerframe.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containinginstructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor toperform a method, the method comprising: receiving reference timeinformation and metadata including information for executing processingrelated to the reference time information; and executing processingrelated to the reference time information based on the metadata, whereinthe metadata includes: a first offset value between the reference timeinformation and a discontinuous time, a second offset value between thediscontinuous time and a local time, and a date and time at which achange in a daylight savings time (DST) status is to occur, and whereinthe local time is determined based on the reference time information andthe metadata.